Online Safety at St Mary’s C.E. Primary School

At St Mary’s C.E. Primary School, keeping children safe online is a core part of our safeguarding responsibility. We recognise that the internet, digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) provide valuable opportunities for learning and communication, but also present risks that must be carefully managed.

Our approach to online safety ensures that pupils, staff, governors, parents/carers and visitors use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully, both in school and when learning takes place online or remotely

Online safety at St Mary’s is underpinned by our Christian values, promoting kindness, responsibility and respect in all online interactions.

How We Keep Children Safe Online

We take a proactive and layered approach to online safety, which includes:

• Filtering and monitoring systems on school devices and networks to block harmful or inappropriate content
• Clear Acceptable Use Agreements for pupils, staff, governors and visitors
• Staff supervision whenever pupils use digital technology
• Strong safeguarding procedures, with concerns reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Regular training for staff and governors on online safety and emerging technologies
• Curriculum teaching that helps pupils develop digital resilience, understand risks and know how to seek help

All online safety incidents are logged and reviewed to ensure appropriate action and ongoing improvement.

Teaching Online Safety to Pupils

Online safety is embedded across the curriculum, including Computing, PSHE and Relationships and Health Education. Pupils are taught to:

• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly
• Protect their personal information and privacy
• Be kind and polite in online communication
• Recognise and report worrying or upsetting content
• Understand risks such as cyberbullying, fake news and online manipulation

Pupils are always encouraged to talk to a trusted adult if something online makes them feel unsure or uncomfortable.

Adult-Only Safe Use of AI (Staff, Governors and Visitors)

To protect pupils, staff and school data, AI use within St Mary’s is restricted to adults only unless explicitly authorised for supervised pupil learning.

Adults using AI for school-related purposes must follow these principles:

• Approved tools only – Only AI tools approved by the Headteacher and, where appropriate, the Data Protection Officer (DPO) may be used
• No personal or sensitive data – Names, images, pupil information or confidential school data must never be entered into public or unapproved AI tools
• Human oversight – Adults remain fully responsible for checking, editing and approving all AI-generated content
• Professional use only – AI must not be used to generate misleading, biased, offensive or inappropriate material
• Safeguarding first – AI use must never compromise pupil safety, welfare or dignity

AI may be used by adults to support tasks such as drafting letters, preparing resources or generating ideas, but it must never replace professional judgement.

Any concerns about AI use or online safety must be reported immediately to the DSL.

Working with Parents and Carers

We believe online safety works best when school and home work together. We provide parents and carers with:

• Guidance on safe online behaviour
• Information about emerging technologies, including AI
• Clear expectations about appropriate use of devices and social media
• Support if concerns arise

Parents are encouraged to raise concerns directly with the school rather than online and to reinforce safe and responsible digital behaviour at home

Reporting Concerns

If you have any concerns about online safety, cyberbullying, inappropriate content or the use of AI, please contact the school immediately. All concerns are taken seriously and handled in line with our safeguarding procedures.