E-Safety

At Much Wenlock Primary School, we believe that children have the right to enjoy childhood online, to access safe digital spaces, and to benefit from the many opportunities that a connected world can bring — appropriate to their age and stage of development.

As children grow, it is vital that they learn to balance the benefits of technology with a critical awareness of their own and others’ online behaviour. We teach our pupils how to develop effective strategies for staying safe, managing risks, and making a positive contribution online.

Our E-Safety Curriculum

At Much Wenlock Primary School, children use the internet regularly through both the Computing curriculum and across other subjects to support and enhance their learning. We have iPads and laptops available in school to give pupils hands-on experience in using technology responsibly.

Our E-safety curriculum is built around the Education for a Connected World framework from the UK Council for Internet Safety. This framework covers seven key areas:

Self-image and identity
Online relationships
Online reputation
Online bullying
Managing online information
Health, wellbeing and lifestyle
Privacy and security

We use high-quality, age-appropriate video lessons and activities from National College experts to support this teaching.

Understanding Online Risks

We also explicitly teach children about the four main areas of risk associated with internet-enabled technology:

Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate, or harmful material
Contact: harmful online interaction with others
Conduct: unsafe or harmful online behaviours, either by themselves or others
Commerce: online commercial risks such as scams, phishing, or in-app purchases that could compromise wellbeing or security

E-Safety Procedures

All pupils and staff are expected to follow our Acceptable Use Agreements when using any ICT devices or technology in school. These agreements are introduced and revisited at the start of every academic year, forming the basis of the first Computing lesson each autumn term.

Throughout the year, children also take part in a range of e-safety learning experiences, including:

Safety Afternoons as part of our annual ‘Safety Week’
Workshops from West Mercia Police on staying safe online
Peer-to-peer online safety workshops with older pupils from William Brookes School

Supporting Families and Staff with E-Safety

At Much Wenlock Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that not only pupils, but also staff and families, feel confident in understanding and managing online safety.

We are proud to hold a membership with the National College, giving our whole school community access to up-to-date online safety training, guidance, and resources.

What’s Included:

Training: CPD-accredited courses for all staff and parents/carers, including tailored training for DSLs, teachers, SENDCOs, Computing leads, and support staff
Monthly Updates: Keeping everyone informed about the latest online safety issues, gaming trends, social media platforms, and digital news
Specific Resources: Over 250 one-page guides covering devices, apps, games, social media platforms, plus explainer videos and webinars

Parents’ Access to the National College

What does this mean for you as a parent or carer?
You will have free access to hundreds of courses, explainer videos, and easy-to-follow guides to help you stay informed about the online world. Topics include:

Understanding apps like TikTok and Instagram
Recognising signs of online harm
Knowing how to support your child’s digital wellbeing

Signing up is easy:
Just follow this link: The National College | CPD for Schools, Trusts, Colleges & Nurseries and complete your details, selecting ‘Parent/Carer’ as your user type to get instant access.

Download the app for free:
The National Online Safety app gives you access to all resources on the go.

If you need help, the National College Help Centre: National College Support offers FAQs and support, or you can contact their team directly.

Parental Controls and Supporting Safety at Home

It’s important that online safety is reinforced at home as well as at school. This Parental Controls booklet 2024 provides straightforward advice on setting up controls across different devices.

Helpful video guides are also available via Online Safety Videos – Knowsley City Learning Centres. Also, for:

Opening the Conversation: Smartphone Free Childhood Movement

We are currently exploring collaboration with local secondary schools on the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact. Together, we aim to open up conversations with families about the right age for children to have smartphones and social media accounts.

With new research into the risks associated with smartphones — and countries like Australia proposing bans on social media use under age 16 — now is the right time to reflect on these choices as a community.

Top 5 Reasons to Delay Giving Children Smartphones:

Smartphone apps are designed to be addictive
Use of smartphones correlates with children’s mental health concerns
Increased exposure to harmful content
Loss of outdoor play, hobbies, and family time
Smartphones are a distraction from academic learning

The movement encourages considering ‘Feature Phones’ — which allow calls and texts but avoid apps, social media, and group chat pressures — as an alternative.

If you would like to find out more about any aspect of online safety at Much Wenlock Primary School, please contact info@wps.318education.co.uk

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Parents and Carers: Join the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement

If you are feeling unsure about your child having a smartphone — or are considering delaying smartphone use — you are not alone. A growing number of parents across Shropshire are making the same choice, supported by research into the risks associated with early smartphone and social media use.

Show Your Commitment

If you would like to share your commitment to the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement, you can sign the pact [here].

You can also find out how many other parents across Shropshire have signed up here: Smartphone Free Childhood Sign the Parent Pact

By working together as a community, we can help take the pressure off children and support them in enjoying a childhood free from the challenges and distractions of smartphones and social media.

West Mercia Police: Exploitation and Vulnerability Awareness Training for Parents

We are pleased to share details of a new online training course provided by West Mercia Police to help parents and carers stay informed about online risks.

This free, one-hour online course covers important areas including: