Online Safety – Intent, Implementation & Impact Statement

St Bernard’s RC Primary School

Intent

At St Bernard’s, the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every pupil is central to our ethos, rooted in Gospel values. In an increasingly digital world, our intent is to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to use technology safely, responsibly, and ethically, while supporting staff and families to create a safe online environment.

We aim to:

1. Protect all members of the school community from online harm, including cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online exploitation.
2. Promote responsible digital citizenship, helping pupils understand the moral and social implications of their online actions.
3. Ensure statutory compliance with safeguarding legislation, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, GDPR, and the DfE’s guidance on Online Safety.
4. Support staff and parents to model safe and effective use of technology in learning and communication.
5. Foster resilience, critical thinking, and reflection so pupils can make safe, informed choices online in line with Catholic values and Caritas in Action principles.

Implementation

Our online safety intent is implemented through a combination of curriculum provision, policies, and community engagement:

1. Curriculum & Teaching

• Online safety is integrated across the curriculum, including PSHE, Computing, RE, and assemblies.
• Pupils are taught age-appropriate skills such as secure passwords, safe searching, recognising misinformation, and respectful online communication.
• Digital literacy lessons include practical demonstrations, scenario-based learning, and reflection on moral and ethical issues.

2. Policies & Procedures

• Clear Online Safety Policies are in place for pupils, staff, and visitors.
• Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) are shared with pupils, parents, and staff annually.
• Staff receive regular CPD on safeguarding and online safety, including emerging risks such as social media trends and gaming platforms.

3. Safe & Secure Technology

• Filtering and monitoring systems ensure inappropriate content is blocked and staff can respond to potential risks promptly.
• Devices, apps, and platforms used in school are evaluated for safety, privacy, and suitability.
• Cybersecurity measures are reviewed regularly in collaboration with One Education IT.

4. Behaviour & Wellbeing

• Online safety is embedded in the school’s behaviour policy, with clear procedures for reporting incidents.
• Pupils are encouraged to develop empathy, resilience, and responsible online behaviour, reinforcing Gospel values of respect and dignity.
• Emotional literacy, restorative approaches, and peer mentoring are used to address online conflicts or concerns.

5. Partnerships & Community

• Parents are engaged through workshops, newsletters, and guidance on home online safety.
• Partnerships with local and national organisations (e.g., CEOP, SWGfL, and Manchester City Council) provide resources and advice.
• Staff, governors, and parish leaders collaborate to ensure a cohesive, whole-school approach to online safety.

Impact

We measure the impact of our online safety provision through outcomes for pupils, staff, and the wider community:

1. Pupil Understanding & Behaviour
   • Pupils demonstrate knowledge of online safety rules, understand risks, and make responsible choices.
   • Positive digital citizenship is reflected in behaviour logs, pupil voice surveys, and reduced incidents of online harm.
2. Staff Confidence & Practice
   • Staff apply safeguarding protocols effectively and model safe use of technology in teaching and communication.
   • Online safety is embedded in lesson planning and cross-curricular initiatives.
3. Parental Engagement
   • Parents report increased awareness of online risks and confidence in supporting their child’s safe use of technology.
4. School Culture & Safeguarding
   • Online safety incidents are managed promptly and effectively in line with the school’s safeguarding procedures.
   • The school’s online safety ethos contributes to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
5. Governance & Compliance
   • Governors monitor online safety through termly reports, policy review, and link visits.
   • St Bernard’s meets statutory requirements, including those outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) and diocesan safeguarding guidance.

Review & Monitoring:

• The Online Safety Statement is reviewed annually by the Safeguarding Committee and updated in response to new technology, risks, or guidance.
• Termly audits include monitoring incidents, training logs, curriculum coverage, and pupil/parent voice.

• CEOP:  Advice from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection command.

• Think You Know: Advice from the National Crime Agency. (Age 5 - 7)

• Think You Know: Advice from the National Crime Agency. (Age 8 - 10)

• Think You Know: Advice from the National Crime Agency (Age 11 - 13)

• Childnet: Online safety guides for parents

• Fortnite: Guidance for parents.

• VR safety guide- NSPCC

Tips for staying safe online:

• Make sure you keep new online friends strictly online. If someone you don't know asks to be your online friend you must ensure an adult knows about it.
   
• Know how to use the CEOP Button and how to report it to the CEOP Centre if you are concerned about someone’s online behaviour towards you.

Use the link below to access a range of safety guides for your children's devices.

Parental guides