Online Safety

We take the online safety of all our pupils extremely seriously. E-Safety is fully embedded within our Computing curriculum, but because it is a fundamental part of both safeguarding and wider education, we also enrich learning through termly Online Safety Days. These are delivered in line with the Department for Education’s Education for a Connected World Framework.

Our Online Safety Days give children the opportunity to:

Explore how to use technology safely and responsibly
Balance the benefits of the online world with an awareness of risks
Reflect critically on their own online behaviour and that of others
Develop practical strategies for staying safe
Learn how to make a positive contribution to the digital community

Through this approach, we aim to empower our pupils to become confident, responsible, and safe digital citizens both in school and at home.

Online Bullying

This strand explores bullying and other online aggression and how technology impacts those issues. It offers strategies for effective reporting and intervention and considers how bullying and other aggressive behaviour relates to legislation.

Privacy & Security

This strand explores how personal online information can be used, stored, processed and shared. It offers both behavioural and technical strategies to limit impact on privacy and protect data and systems against compromise.

Self-image & identity

This strand explores the differences between online and offline identity beginning with self-awareness, shaping online identities and media influence in propagating stereotypes. It identifies effective routes for reporting and support and explores the impact of online technologies on self-image and behaviour.

Health, well-being & lifestyle

This strand explores the impact that technology has on health, well-being and lifestyle e.g. mood, sleep, body health and relationships. It also includes understanding negative behaviours and issues amplified and sustained by online technologies and the strategies for dealing with them.

Online reputation

This strand explores the concept of reputation and how others may use online information to make judgements.
It offers opportunities to develop strategies to manage personal digital content effectively and capitalise on technology’s capacity to create effective positive profiles.

Online relationships

This strand explores how technology shapes communication styles and identifies strategies for positive relationships in online communities. It offers opportunities to discuss relationships, respecting, giving and denying consent and behaviours that may lead to harm and how positive online interaction can empower and amplify voice.

Working Towards National Online Safety Certified School Status

We are pleased to share that The Maples will be working towards achieving the National Online Safety Certified School award. This reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping children safe online and supporting families in navigating the digital world.

As part of this journey:

All staff will complete specialist training in online safety, ensuring they are confident in teaching, modelling and responding to online risks.
Parents and carers will be encouraged to sign up to the National Online Safety platform, providing access to expert advice, resources and guides to support children at home.
Pupils will benefit from high-quality, age-appropriate teaching around online safety, helping them to develop the knowledge and skills needed to use technology responsibly.

Working towards becoming a National Online Safety Certified School demonstrates our commitment as a whole school community to ensuring children can enjoy the benefits of the online world while staying safe and protected.