Internet Safety

Staying safe while using the Internet

The Internet is a fantasic source of information. However, the school recognises that, under certain circumstances, the Internet can give children access to undesirable information and images. That is why we have a strong Internet policy to protect our children. We have outlined our policy here and we hope it will help our children and their families use the Internet safely at home too.

In School

We have done everything possible to ensure our children are protected from undesirable information and images:

• We have security software so that access to the Internet at school is filtered and certain types of site are barred.
• Access to email is moderated by the class teacher and children do not have access to newsgroups.
• The children are taught to use the facility sensibly and with proper consideration for others.

At Home

Parents should be aware that access to the internet at school is highly filtered. If you do not have any filters to restrict access to adult sites on your home computer (or any other computer your child uses) they may have access to information that is unsuitable for them.

If you would like more information about using the internet safely please contact reception who will pass on your request to the web team. Internet courses are available from many sources including the Crescent Centre in Lower Earley.

Web sites aimed at children

There are an increasing number of web sites aimed at children, for educational or amusement. This raises some concerns because children may be asked to provide information about themselves, and their email address. This may result in emails being sent directly to children.

As a general rule, children should be taught to always question why they are being asked for specific information on web sites and seek guidance from a teacher, parent or other responsible adult before providing ANY personal information. 

Whiteknights Internet Policy

In school there is a strict Internet Policy that is designed to protect your child.  

These are the guidelines we follow at Whiteknights for the privacy and safety of pupils when using the Internet:

• Children do not have individual E-mail addresses.
• All E-mail to classes will be moderated by the classteacher.
• Children will not engage in conversation or dialogue with other users on the Internet without permission or supervision from their teacher.
• Children are only allowed to use the provided links by themselves. The free use of Search Engines, is not permitted, unless in the presence of a teacher or other adult in school.
• The Search Engines used by children at Whiteknights all offer a filtered list of links.
• Any child finding themselves uncomfortable or upset by anything they discover on the Internet will report it to a teacher immediately.
• Downloading of files is restricted to staff, or children under supervision.
• Children have no access to Newsgroups.
• All Internet access at Whiteknights Primary School is filtered through a proxy server to screen undesirable sites at source - this facility must only be disabled by the ICT co-ordinator.