At Brinkley Grove we take internet safety very seriously and have a number of measures to ensure that our pupils learn how to use the internet well.

We have developed a strong e-safety policy – please see document below. This policy sets out how we filter the internet, how staff and pupils should use the school’s computing equipment and what to do in the event of a concern.

There may be instances in using technology when children are confronted with a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. They need to know who they will speak to in this situation and how we are able to help them.

The range of uses of new technology, from tablet computers to mobile phones, makes it a challenge for parents to keep up to date and informed about potential issues. We therefore encourage all parents to explore the parents section of the www.thinkuknow.co.uk website. There are also online activities for different age groups to access to help them learn about how to stay safe online.

We held a workshop run by www.esafetytraining.org which discussed a number of ways for parents to open a dialogue with their children about their internet use. It is important to help support children to make positive choices rather than simply stopping them from using particular apps or devices. Please speak to Mr Smith should you wish to discuss this guidance.

Also note that any potential abuse of technology can be reported via the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) agency. Just search for CEOP online or visit www.ceop.police.uk If children are looking for some help but are not sure where to turn or who to speak to, ChildLine (www.childline.org.uk) will always help. You can call them on 0800 1111.