Engaging the Community on Internet Safety

This year we have celebrated Safer Internet Day (11th February) with an information evening designed to engage our families with internet safety and community, helping provide guidance on what they can do to support their young people to access the internet safely. To try and make it easier for families to attend the evening, we also arranged for pizzas, chips and refreshments to be served after the talks. 

Internet safety has been identified as an important topic in the school community with our parents requesting information about social media and the way young people interact online. The information evening, aimed at both pupils and parents, offered insight on the safety implications and dangers of the internet, giving support and guidance to families about the constantly changing social media landscape. 

We also sent out invites to the wider community, sent out to local primary schools, giving parents and pupils an opportunity to come into school and pre-empt any concerns about internet safety. 

Local agencies also supported us including The Matthew Project, The Watton SPACE Project supported by The Benjamin Foundation and the Norfolk Police Community Team who delivered a talk on Community and Online Safety as part of the evening. These agencies are vital to support our young people and families holistically.  

“Whilst we have a strict ban on using mobile phones in school, we understand that social media is now a part of everyday life. We wish to empower parents and pupils to be able to use this safely and be aware of the dangers that are present online and in the community. We hope this leads to our pupils and community being happier and feeling safer as a result.” 

School Pastoral leaders and the School Safeguarding team were on hand throughout the evening to assist with any further questions and to signpost parents to other agencies that the school is in close contact with. Making sure our families and young people are developing a friendly and supportive community offline is also key to making sure they stay safe online. 

The Matthew Project is available to contact for young people aged 13 or over on their advice line – 0800 970 4866; 0900 – 1700, Mon – Thur, 0900 – 1630, Fri.