Being safe and secure

Internet Safety

At St Anne’s Academy we take the safety and security of all students and staff very seriously. This extends to esafety: this means keeping safe when using technology. The technology used commonly includes: the Internet including messaging and social networking sites, mobiles including texts, pictures and webcams.

Every student signs an acceptable use agreement when they join the academy. (To read one click here). This means that students (and staff) agree to use technologies responsibly. Equipment used at the Academy (laptops and computers) is monitored using specialist software. Users that are found to break this agreement will face a range of sanctions which increase in severity based on the violation.
We have recently introduced a series of esafety lessons, beginning in year 7 as we feel that educated users are usually safer users. We will teach students about the dangers but also lots of strategies to avoid and ultimately get out of trouble. 
As an adult you can help too.
1. Make sure equipment is used in a public/busy area of the house. Eg The kitchen. This will enable you to see what is going on.
2. Talk about technology. What should you not do on a text/email? What happens if you tell someone a secret by email? If you post a photo on a website who can see it? If you use forums is it ok to insult someone?
3. Make sure you know who your child’s “online friends” are. If you allow a webcam to be used make sure that you can see the person on the other end and that they can see that you are there.
4. Talk about stories in the news. What should the victims have done?
Youtube Film
5. If you don’t have access to the Internet watch out for details of forthcoming esafety events at the Academy. These will be practical workshops designed to help you understand the risks and how to minimise them.
5. Keep yourself safe! Keep your computer anti-virus software up-to-date (http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage this is free).
6. Don’t give out your personal details.

There is an e safety evening coming up at school. There will be 2 sessions one at 5pm and one at 6pm. The session will be designed to help you understand the dangers and know how to keep your children safe. Please look out for the letter coming home for more details or click here to reserve yourself a place.

More resources:
www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Tips for secondary students links to leaflets
Keeping Up With The Internet

Click on the CEOP link if you want to report cyber-bullying or abuse.