Online Safety

At Treales CE Primary School, we are committed to helping children develop the knowledge, understanding and confidence they need to use technology safely and responsibly.

The internet provides fantastic opportunities for learning, communication and creativity. However, we recognise that children also need support to navigate online risks and make safe choices.

Online safety is taught throughout our curriculum and reinforced through classroom learning, assemblies and wider safeguarding activities. As with all aspects of safeguarding, we believe that children are best protected when schools and families work together.

How Parents Can Help

Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting children to use technology safely.

We recommend that families:

• Talk regularly with their child about what they do online.
• Know which apps, games and websites their child is using.
• Use parental controls on devices, gaming consoles and home broadband.
• Check privacy and safety settings regularly.
• Keep devices in shared family spaces whenever possible.
• Agree sensible boundaries around screen time and online behaviour.
• Encourage children to tell a trusted adult if something online worries, upsets or confuses them.

Having open, regular conversations about online experiences is one of the most effective ways to help keep children safe.

Key Messages for Children

At Treales, we encourage children to remember these simple online safety rules:

✅ Keep personal information private.

✅ Be kind and respectful online.

✅ Think carefully before sharing photos, videos or messages.

✅ Only communicate online with people they know and trust.

✅ Tell a trusted adult if anything online makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

✅ Stop, block and report where appropriate.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of children's online experiences.

Parents can support safe use of AI by:

• Knowing which AI-powered tools and apps their child is using.
• Reminding children not to share personal information with chatbots or online tools.
• Encouraging children to question information and remember that AI can sometimes provide inaccurate or misleading information.
• Supervising younger children when using AI-powered websites and applications.

Reporting Concerns

Children can sometimes come across content, messages or situations online that are upsetting, confusing or unsafe.

If your child experiences anything online that causes concern, encourage them to stop what they are doing and speak to a trusted adult straight away.

If you have concerns about your child's online safety, please contact the school for advice and support. No concern is too small if it affects a child's safety or wellbeing.

Safeguarding Support at Treales

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact the school and ask to speak to a member of our safeguarding team.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Lisa Hill, Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs):
Adelle Hetherington and Jason Hollis

Telephone: 01772 684678
Email: bursar@treales.lancs.sch.uk

We will always take concerns seriously and work with families and relevant agencies to ensure children receive the support they need.

CEOP

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Command helps keep children safe from online abuse and exploitation.

If you are concerned about online sexual abuse, grooming or inappropriate contact, you can report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre:

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Immediate Concerns

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact the police on 999.

Useful Resources for Parents

UK Safer Internet Centre

Advice and guidance on social media, gaming, parental controls and digital wellbeing.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/parents-and-carers

NSPCC Online Safety Hub

Practical information and guidance for families on staying safe online.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

Thinkuknow

Age-appropriate online safety information and activities from CEOP.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Internet Matters

Expert advice, app guides, gaming advice and parental control support.

https://www.internetmatters.org

Working Together

Keeping children safe online is a shared responsibility between school, families and children. By maintaining open conversations, setting clear expectations and seeking help when needed, we can work together to help every child enjoy the benefits of technology safely, confidently and responsibly.

Equipped by God; We are Mighty! Through our Christian vision, we encourage children to use technology with wisdom, respect, responsibility and kindness, both online and offline.

Monthly Online Safety Updates

Each month, we share an online safety newsletter and short video for parents and carers. These provide practical advice, guidance on emerging online trends, information about popular apps, games and social media platforms, and tips to help families keep children safe online.

We encourage parents and carers to take a few minutes each month to review these resources and discuss key messages with their children. Working together helps us promote safe, responsible and positive use of technology both at home and at school.

Previous newsletters and videos are also available below for reference, allowing families to revisit important online safety topics whenever needed.