E-Safety

E-Safety and Online Well-being at Mortimer Primary School

At Mortimer Primary School, the safety of our pupils is paramount, and this commitment extends to the digital world. We aim to educate, protect, and prevent children from encountering online harms and risks by fostering a positive, safe, and respectful digital culture.

National Online Safety Certified School

We are proud to hold the National Online Safety Certified School Accreditation. This recognition demonstrates our whole-school commitment to protecting children in the online world.

• Training and Education: We use the National Online Safety (NOS) platform as a key resource for professional development, ensuring our senior leaders, teachers, and all staff are kept up-to-date and knowledgeable about digital safety best practices.

• Parental Support: We encourage all parents and carers to utilise the free membership we offer through NOS. This provides you with crucial training and resources to increase your awareness and confidence in tackling problems your children may encounter online.

• Access the App: You can easily access National Online Safety resources on the go using their free smartphone app.

  • Apple App Store: You can download the app here: National Online Safety App for iOS

  • Google Play Store: You can download the app here: National Online Safety App for Android

  • Alternatively, search for ‘National Online Safety’ in your app store.

• Support: Answers to frequently asked questions and customer service for the platform can be accessed at the National Online Safety Helpdesk.

What is E-Safety?

E-Safety encompasses the safeguarding of children and young people in the digital world. It is about educating them to understand and use new technologies in a positive, responsible, and safe way.

E-Safety covers not only internet technologies but also electronic communications via:

• Mobile phones and tablets.

• Games consoles.

• Wireless technology.

We approach E-Safety less about restriction and more about education—highlighting the benefits, risks, and responsibilities of using information technology so children can feel confident and secure online.

Analogy of Safety: As Dr. Tanya Byron explained, we approach digital safety like teaching children to swim in a public pool. We provide safety signs, lifeguards (guidance), shallow and deep ends (age-appropriate content), but most importantly, we teach them how to swim (develop safer online behaviours) to navigate these exciting waters safely.

E-Safety in the Curriculum and School

As part of our Computing syllabus and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) work, all children are educated on how to use electronic devices and the internet safely and with respect.

• Designated Training: We have designated members of staff who are CEOP trained (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) and Kid Safe Tutors, ensuring high levels of staff awareness and ability to recognise e-safety issues.

• Constantly Evolving: We recognise that the digital landscape is constantly changing. Our E-Safety approach is dynamic, ensuring our teaching and non-teaching staff are always aware of the latest risks and trends.

Online Gaming and PEGI Ratings

Many games are now played online against human opponents, often allowing communication via typing or voice chat. The very best gaming is safe gaming, which means playing responsibly.

Top Tips for Safe Gaming:

• Keep a Clean Machine: Ensure your computer or console is protected by an activated security suite (firewall, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software).

• Make Passwords Long and Strong: Passwords should be at least eight characters long and be a mix of upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Remain Positively Engaged: Take an active interest in the games your children are playing. This is the ideal way to ensure they are playing the right games sensibly.

• Talk to Them: Let your children know they can come to you if they feel uncomfortable when playing a game.

Understanding PEGI Ratings

The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system provides clear guidance on the age suitability of game content.

• PEGI Ratings are Age Indicators: Many children may claim the numbers on the side of game boxes are a level indicator—they are not. They are age indicators that allow you, as a parent, to know the contents in the game and its suitability for your child, much like DVD age ratings.

• Check the Rating: Checking a game’s rating online or on the box is a great starting place for gauging its age-appropriateness.

Social Media and Networking

Social media sites have age restrictions in place to protect children. We educate children on what social media is and the safe use of the internet.

Understanding what children do online and the risks they face will help you keep your child safe.

• Latest Trends: Social media sites and popular apps are constantly changing. It is hard to stay up-to-date with the latest “fad.”

• External Advice: The NSPCC website regularly updates its parent section to help you protect your children online. We encourage you to click here for the NSPCC website’s Parent Section.

Further Video Advice: For more detailed information on how to keep your family safe online, ICT in Schools at The Word have created a number of videos which contain up-to-date information and advice for families.

Click here for  https://ictinschools.org/e-safety/e-safety-for-parents-and-carers/