E-Safety

Online Safety

At Elmridge Primary School, keeping our pupils safe online is a vital part of our safeguarding commitment. Children today grow up surrounded by technology, and while the internet offers wonderful opportunities for learning and connection, it also comes with risks. We work closely with pupils and families to ensure that children learn how to navigate the digital world safely, confidently and responsibly.

How We Support and Educate Children in School

• Dedicated E-Safety Curriculum: Online safety is taught throughout the year as part of Computing, PSHE, and cross-curricular lessons. Topics include digital footprints, cyberbullying, gaming safety, misinformation, privacy and safe searching.
• Regular Workshops and Assemblies: Children take part in age-appropriate sessions about staying safe online, including events such as Safer Internet Day.
• Regular Pupil Voice: We actively listen to pupils’ experiences and viewpoints through surveys, class discussions and wellbeing check-ins. Their feedback helps us shape our curriculum, spot emerging issues and adapt our support to meet their needs.

Digital Leaders at Elmridge

Our Digital Leaders play an important part in promoting positive, safe, and responsible use of technology across the school. These pupils are trained to act as role models and ambassadors for e-safety, helping to support their classmates in using digital tools confidently and responsibly.

• Promote Safe Online Behaviour: They help reinforce key e-safety messages and encourage children to follow safe practices when using technology.
• Lead by Example: They model good digital citizenship by demonstrating respectful communication, secure use of passwords, and responsible online choices.
• Help with School Events: They take part in whole-school activities such as Safer Internet Day, assemblies and themed projects.
• Provide Pupil Voice: Digital Leaders share feedback with staff about how children are using technology and help the school understand emerging digital trends from a pupil perspective.

How Parents Can Support E-Safety at Home

• Talk Regularly About Online Activity: Ask your child what they enjoy online, who they interact with and how they stay safe. Open conversations help children feel comfortable sharing concerns.
• Set Clear Boundaries: Agree rules together about screen time, device use and which apps or websites they can access.
• Use Parental Controls: Enable privacy settings, filtering tools and age-appropriate restrictions on devices, apps and home Wi-Fi.
• Know the Age Ratings: Many social media platforms, games and apps have minimum age requirements (usually 13+). Check these before allowing access.
• Encourage Safe Behaviour: Remind children never to share personal information, photos or passwords, and to speak to a trusted adult if something online makes them uncomfortable.
• Stay Informed: Online trends change quickly – keeping up-to-date helps you support your child more effectively.

Helpful Resources for Parents

• UK Safer Internet Centre – Guidance, tips, and reporting tools for online safety.
• NSPCC – Online Safety – Practical advice and resources for families.
• Childnet – Parent-friendly guides on apps, games, devices and talking to children about online life.
• Internet Matters – Step-by-step parental control guides and advice on a wide range of online topics.
• CEOP (ThinkUKnow) – Information about reporting concerns and supporting children at different ages.

If you would like further support or have any concerns about your child’s online safety, please contact your child’s class teacher or a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). We are always here to help.