Many children arrive at school already familiar with the internet. As a parent, you’ll know how important the online world is to children- they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. As the same time, the technology children use every day can feel daunting, and it is understandable that adults worry about risks such as online bullying, contact from strangers, or exposure to illegal or inappropriate content.

At oak Hill, our vision “In love, we learn, grow and flourish” guides everything we do, including how we teach our children to navigate the digital world. We want every child to flourish safely and confidently, and this begins with helping them understand how to make wise, loving and respectful choices online.

E-safety is an integral part of our PHSE and Computing curriculums these curriculums are carefully designed to meet the needs of each age group, ensuring that children learn in a way that supports their growth at every stage. What we teach in reception looks different to what we teach I year 6, but the thread running through all year groups is our commitment to helping children build on prior earning so they can grow securely and flourish as they move through the school. Our ultimate aim to prepare every child for life beyond Oak Hill when they transition to secondary school.

Children learn about online bullying, how to report inappropriate communications or content, password security the sharing of personal details, and how to recognise fake or misleading information. These lessons help them learn to treat others with love and respect, and to protect themselves and their peers. Out school internet provider operates a filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate materials and we ensure our IT systems are kept up to date. Staff receive training and updates so that, together, we can guide children through the constantly evolving digital landscape.

Through this shared commitment, we help every child learn safely, grow confidently and flourish online- living out our vision in the digital world as much as in the classroom.