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Students' Online Safety

eSafety at Southfields Academy

We understand that the internet is an integral part of modern life and will be more so as our lives become more connected, especially for the young people in our community. We know the great benefits of this but are ever aware of the dangers and risks that this unprecedented access to communication now brings to our students. So that we can prepare and give each student the best chance of a secure and safe future, we take our eSafety responsibilities very seriously.

Before a student starts at the Academy, young people are asked to read, understand and sign the Internet and Computer Acceptable Use Policy (available to download at the foot of this page) at the time of their admission interview. This policy briefly describes some online behaviours which are unsafe. The Academy's Behaviour Policy (available at the foot of this page) explicitly mentions unacceptable online behaviours and bullying that can affect others and the sanctions that are in place for students who misuse technology in this way.

Once student have begun their studies with us, computing and person, social and health education address aspects of eSafety in more detail and use scenarios and thought-provoking activities to allow student to explore them in further detail. Aspects of online safety directly addressed include social media use, cyberbullying, online communication with strangers, the risks of radicalisation, the understanding of fake news and the reliability of online content, digital footprints, malware and phishing.

There are many valuable resources to help parents to understand and discuss eSafety at home - click image below to visit the NSPCC's website:

Please be assured that we teach all of our students to tell someone if they encounter something online that they do not feel comfortable with or that makes them feel unsafe. We encourage our students to use the government's online reporting tool, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection button, if they feel they are unable to speak to an adult.

If you would like to speak to us about eSafety education we offer our students then please get in touch with Mr Haxton, Head of Computing, or Mr Samuels, Teacher i/c Social Sciences via info@southfieldsacademy.com If you are a parent of a young person and are concerned about your child's eSafety, then please get in touch with your child's tutor in the first instance.