Online Safety at Knightsfield School
At Knightsfield School, the safety and wellbeing of our students is central to everything we do. We recognise that the online world brings both opportunities and risks and we are committed to ensuring our pupils are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to stay safe in an increasingly digital society.
Online safety is taught through dedicated Online Safety lessons, where pupils receive clear, explicit and age‑appropriate teaching about the digital world. These lessons cover key areas such as:
- Safe and responsible use of the internet
- Online communication and digital behaviour
- Social media awareness and boundaries
- Online relationships and consent
- Gaming and in‑app risks
- Image sharing and digital footprints
- Misinformation and critical thinking
- The safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI)
Online safety learning is further reinforced through PSHCE lessons and assemblies, ensuring messages are revisited regularly and linked to real‑life situations and current online trends.
We hold assemblies throughout the year that respond to emerging online safety concerns. These sessions help pupils recognise risks, understand how to seek help and develop strategies for keeping themselves and others safe online.
To protect students while in school, our internet systems are filtered and monitored and all online activity is logged in line with safeguarding and data protection requirements. Any online safety concerns or incidents are recorded and responded to promptly in accordance with school policy.
All pupils and parents are required to sign an Online Safety and Acceptable Use Agreement. Parents also sign an agreement confirming their commitment to promoting safe and responsible technology use at home and their agreement with the school’s online safety policy. We firmly believe that online safety is most effective when schools and families work together.
All staff and trustees receive regular online safety training, which is updated annually. This ensures everyone remains informed about current risks, safeguarding expectations and best practice in protecting children in the online world.
We understand that staying safe online extends beyond the school environment and that deaf children and young people can be particularly vulnerable online due to language and communication barriers associated with deafness. At Knightsfield School, online safety education is carefully adapted to meet our pupils’ communication needs, ensuring that guidance is accessible, clearly understood and meaningful.
By maintaining high standards of education, monitoring and partnership, Knightsfield School works proactively to create a safe, supportive and informed approach to online life for all our students.
