E-Safety

e-Safety Statement

At St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College, we are committed to promoting the safe, responsible and effective use of digital technologies across all aspects of school life. We recognise that technology plays a vital role in learning, communication and everyday life, and we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and values needed to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Our approach to eSafety is underpinned by the school’s core values and promotes respect, responsibility, integrity and care for others, both online and offline.

We promote eSafety through:

Delivering Digital Citizenship education through ICT lessons at Key Stage 3, helping pupils develop an understanding of online safety, digital footprints, cyberbullying, privacy, misinformation and responsible online behaviour;
Encouraging pupils to become positive digital citizens who demonstrate respect, responsibility and appropriate conduct in all online interactions;
Using iPads and digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning experiences in a safe, purposeful and age-appropriate manner;
Teaching pupils how to recognise, respond to and report online risks, harmful content and safeguarding concerns;
Implementing filtering, monitoring and safeguarding systems to support safe access to online resources and digital platforms;
Working in partnership with parents/carers to encourage safe and responsible use of technology beyond the school environment.

All members of the school community are expected to use technology responsibly and in accordance with school policies, including Acceptable Use Agreements, behaviour policies and safeguarding procedures.

Group chats, social media pages or online communities that use the school name, logo, branding or imply an association with the school are not permitted, are not monitored, moderated or endorsed by the school, and involvement in such groups may result in sanctions where behaviour breaches school policies or negatively impacts members of the school community.

Parents and carers are strongly encouraged to actively monitor their child’s online activity and ensure age restrictions for social media, gaming and messaging platforms are adhered to before access is permitted.

Current research increasingly supports delaying access to social media until at least the age of 16. While the school is committed to delivering robust online safety education and promoting responsible digital citizenship, no educational programme can eliminate online risk entirely. Pupils may still encounter harmful, inappropriate or unsafe content, contact or behaviours online and therefore shared responsibility between school, parents/carers and pupils remains essential.

Any concerns relating to online safety, inappropriate digital behaviour or safeguarding issues should be reported immediately to a member of staff or the school safeguarding team.

St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive digital environment where technology enhances learning while reflecting the values and ethos of our school community.