Our Online Safety Curriculum

Intent

At Crowcombe CE VA & Stogumber CE VC Primary Schools, we recognise that online safety is an essential part of safeguarding and a key component of preparing children for life in the modern world. In line with our vision,'Together, Let us Love, Encourage, Achieve and Flourish', we aim to empower pupils to become safe, responsible, respectful and discerning users of technology. We believe that online safety is not a standalone subject but a vital thread that runs through all areas of the curriculum and our wider personal development offer.

Our curriculum is designed to develop children's understanding of how to stay safe online, manage risks, build positive digital relationships and make informed choices when using digital technologies. We want all pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly digital world whilst understanding their responsibilities towards themselves and others.

Online safety education is closely linked to the statutory requirements of Relationships Education and Health Education. Through our online safety curriculum, pupils learn how to develop safe and respectful online relationships, recognise inappropriate or harmful content and behaviour, understand the importance of privacy and consent, and know how to seek help when they have concerns. We aim to equip children with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions both online and offline, supporting their wellbeing, personal development and preparation for life in modern Britain.

Implementation

Online safety is taught through a combination of discrete lessons, cross-curricular learning opportunities and wider school enrichment activities.

We use the Active Bytes Online Safety Curriculum to provide a progressive sequence of learning that develops pupils' knowledge and understanding of online safety issues, including privacy, digital footprints, cyberbullying, online relationships, media literacy, screen time and reporting concerns.

Online safety learning is carefully mapped to statutory Relationships Education and Health Education objectives. Links are made between online and offline behaviours, helping pupils understand respectful relationships, personal boundaries, consent, peer pressure, mental wellbeing and the importance of seeking support from trusted adults. These themes are revisited throughout children's time at school to ensure learning is age-appropriate, progressive and responsive to the challenges of an evolving digital world.

Online safety is reinforced across the curriculum whenever technology is used, ensuring pupils have regular opportunities to apply their learning in meaningful contexts. Key messages are revisited through:

• Dedicated online safety lessons.
• Regular online safety assemblies.
• Computing lessons and wider curriculum activities.
• Collective discussions linked to safeguarding and personal development.
• Participation in Safer Internet Day each year.
• Learning linked to Anti-Bullying Week, including a specific focus on online bullying, respectful online behaviour and how to seek support.
• Responsive teaching that addresses emerging online trends and risks relevant to our pupils.

We recognise that effective online safety education requires strong partnerships with families. We therefore provide regular information, guidance and practical advice for parents and carers through:

• Monthly school newsletters.
• The online safety section of the school website.
• Signposting to trusted external resources.
• Parent workshops and information sessions focused on current online safety issues and strategies to support children at home.

Impact

The impact of our online safety provision is that pupils develop a strong understanding of how to stay safe, healthy and responsible when using digital technologies. They know how to recognise potential risks, manage online relationships appropriately, protect personal information and seek support when concerns arise.

Children demonstrate increasing confidence in making safe choices online and understand that their actions in digital spaces should reflect the school's values of respect, kindness and responsibility. Through regular reinforcement across the curriculum and wider school life, pupils develop the knowledge and behaviours needed to participate safely and positively in an increasingly connected world.

By working in partnership with parents and carers, we create a consistent approach to online safety that supports children both in school and beyond, ensuring that online safety remains a fundamental aspect of safeguarding, wellbeing and personal development throughout their time at our schools.