Online Safety at Amblecote Primary School
Our Commitment to Online Safety
Online Safety is a vital part of safeguarding at Amblecote Primary School. As technology becomes increasingly central to children's lives, we ensure all pupils, staff, and families understand how to use digital tools safely, respectfully and responsibly. Our role is twofold: to empower children to stay safe online and to support parents and carers in navigating the ever‑changing digital world.
Empowering Children to Stay Safe
We teach pupils how to make informed choices, recognise risks, navigate online interactions, and understand their responsibility as digital citizens. Children learn how to keep personal information safe, respond to worrying content, and report concerns both inside and outside school.
Supporting Parents and Carers
We help families keep up with rapid technological changes and develop confidence as 'digital parents'. Through informal coffee mornings and regular ClassDojo communication, we work together to build a safe online environment.
How Online Safety Is Taught
Online Safety is taught explicitly from Early Years to Year 6 through the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum. Lessons take place regularly throughout the year and cover themes such as privacy, cyberbullying, media balance, identity, and online relationships. Children from Reception onwards have personal logins and passwords, and are taught the importance of keeping these secure. SMART rules are displayed across school as everyday reminders.
Safer Internet Day
Every year, we celebrate Safer Internet Day with whole‑school assemblies led by Mr Pitts and our KS2 Digital Leaders. Children take part in class‑based activities and cross‑curricular tasks linked to online safety. On this day, Mr Pitts and Miss O'Connor greet families at the school gates to offer advice and guidance. We also hold a parent coffee morning with invited experts and share follow‑up resources via ClassDojo, including Wake Up Wednesday posts.
Digital Leaders
Amblecote's KS2 Digital Leaders work alongside Mr Pitts to promote safe and responsible technology use. They help write and lead assemblies, create digital safety content for the reception screen, support their peers, and champion positive online behaviour across the school.
Reporting Concerns
All children are encouraged to report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable online. Concerns can be reported directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or any trusted adult. All incidents are taken seriously and logged according to school safeguarding procedures.
Support for Parents
We offer a range of support for parents and carers, including Safer Internet Day coffee mornings, expert talks, and regular #WakeUpWednesday posts on ClassDojo. Families are also signposted to trusted resources such as Common Sense Media, ThinkUKnow (CEOP), and SWGfL.
Filtering and Monitoring
To keep children safe online, Amblecote uses Smoothwall for internet filtering and monitoring. This system blocks inappropriate content, provides safeguarding alerts, and is reviewed regularly to ensure effectiveness. If unsafe content is found, users must report to the DSL immediately. Illegal content is escalated to the appropriate authorities. Filtering is balanced carefully to avoid over‑blocking, ensuring pupils can access the tools they need for learning.
Acceptable Use Agreements
All staff and pupils must agree to the school's Acceptable Use Agreements each academic year when they first log on. These outline expectations and responsibilities for safe and respectful technology use.
Our Whole-School Approach
Online Safety at Amblecote is part of our whole‑school culture. Through consistent teaching, safeguarding practices, community partnerships, and ongoing communication, we empower all pupils to become confident, responsible digital citizens.
Curriculum Flexibility to Meet Pupils’ Needs
At Amblecote Primary School, both KS1 and Lower KS2 have a planned flexible unit built into the computing rolling programme. This allows teachers to tailor learning to the specific needs of their pupils, ensuring that lessons are responsive rather than simply following the next step in a sequence. This time can be used to revisit and strengthen key computing skills, provide additional online safety teaching where needed, or consolidate understanding based on teacher assessment. This approach ensures our curriculum remains adaptive, relevant and supportive of all learners.
