Online Safety at ROTJS

Technology gives children wonderful opportunities to learn, create, communicate and explore, but it is important that they develop the knowledge and confidence to use it safely and responsibly.

At ROTJS, online safety is an important part of both our curriculum and our wider safeguarding culture. We want children to enjoy the opportunities technology provides while learning how to make safe, respectful and informed choices online.

Our values of Be Kind • Be Curious • Be Brave apply online just as much as they do in school. We encourage children to Be Kind in how they communicate with others, Be Curious by questioning what they see and hear online, and Be Brave by speaking to a trusted adult when something doesn't feel right.

How We Teach Children to Stay Safe Online

Online safety is taught through Computing, PSHE/RSE and our wider safeguarding work, as well as through conversations that arise naturally as children use technology.

As children move through ROTJS, they learn about:

• keeping personal information and passwords safe

• communicating kindly and respectfully online

• recognising appropriate and inappropriate online behaviour

• understanding their digital footprint

• thinking critically about information, images and content they encounter online

• recognising that not everything online is accurate or trustworthy

• making safe choices when using games, apps and social media

• understanding healthy and appropriate use of technology

• knowing when something doesn't feel right and how to ask a trusted adult for help

Our aim is not simply to teach children a set of online safety rules, but to help them develop the confidence, judgement and responsibility to navigate an increasingly digital world.

Worried About Something Online?

If your child sees or experiences something online that makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe, encourage them to tell a trusted adult and reassure them that asking for help is always the right thing to do.

If you have a concern about your child's online safety, please contact school so that we can offer advice and support.

For concerns about online sexual abuse, grooming or inappropriate sexual contact, parents and children can also report directly to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection), a national service that helps protect children from online sexual abuse.

At ROTJS, we want every child to know that if something goes wrong online, they can speak up and someone will help them.

Children can also contact Childline for free, confidential support if something online is worrying them.

Supporting Your Child at Home

Children's online lives extend beyond the school day, so working together with families is an important part of keeping children safe.

Regular conversations about the games, apps, websites and devices children use can make a real difference. Encouraging children to talk openly about their online experiences helps them know that they can ask for help if something worries them.

The following trusted organisations provide useful, up-to-date advice for parents and carers:

Internet Matters – practical advice about online safety, parental controls, apps, games and devices.

UK Safer Internet Centre – information and guidance to help children and families use technology safely and responsibly.

Childnet – advice and resources for children, parents and carers about a wide range of online safety issues.

NSPCC – guidance for families about keeping children safe online, including conversations about social media, gaming and inappropriate content.

You can also find further information in our Online Safety Helpful Guides.

Pupil Voice and Digital Leaders

Children's voices are an important part of how we develop online safety at ROTJS. We listen to pupils' experiences and understanding of the online world so that our teaching remains relevant to the issues they encounter.

Our Digital Leaders also help promote safe, responsible and positive use of technology across school, sharing messages with other pupils and helping to make online safety part of everyday school life.

Policies and Further Information

Our policies and additional guidance provide further information about how we support safe and responsible use of technology at ROTJS.