‘Digital safeguarding advice to be mindful of during this extended period of home learning - March 2020

 In April 2020 the Department of Education launched their app on the Safer Schools platform which is already being currently used throughout the rest of the UK.  It provises invalubale information and support and can be downloaded on eith 'app store' or 'google play'.  

We have been advised of the heightened risk to pupils who are using digital devices for both home learning and recreational purposes during school closures.  Please read the advice guidelines in the links section below to ensure the digital safeguarding for all during this time.  *home learning safeguarding advice* 

In Kesh Primary School we believe that the internet and other digital technologies are very powerful resources which can enhance and potentially transform teaching and learning when used effectively and appropriately. The internet is an essential element of 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. Our school provides pupils with opportunities to use the excellent resources on the internet, along with developing the skills necessary to access, analyse and evaluate them. We also feel that along-side the positive potential which technology brings, there is also an increasing need to educate young people about online safety.

We strongly feel online safety remains a paramount concern. Schools play a crucial role in raising awareness of the risks, highlighting the impact of behaviour when engaging with online technologies and educating children and young people about how to act appropriately and stay safe.

We want to provide pupils with the opportunity to avail of all the positive benefits that come from learning, exploring and connecting with each other online. However, in doing so, they need to know how to protect themselves.

It is essential that pupils and adults are kept safe online whilst in school and on school-organised activities. We, as educators have a responsibility to ensure that there is a reduced risk of pupils accessing harmful and inappropriate digital content. Schools should be energetic in teaching pupils how to act responsibly and keep themselves safe in the digital world and as a result pupils should have a clear understanding of online safety issues and be able to demonstrate what a positive digital footprint might look like for themselves.

Adapted from Deni 2016/27 Online Safety

This year we have sent out updated safety rules and acceptable use agreements to all children and parents regarding online safety.  Parents were given the opportunity to attend and evening meeting with our local PSNI officer who highlighted online safety and steps that we, as adults, can do to teach our children to keep safe online.

Our digital leaders have created a Contract which all pupils have agreed to in regards to adhering to safety rules when using digital technologies .  

World Safer Internet Day – 5 February 2019

Kesh Primary School took part in this important event to further raise the children’s awareness of keeping safe online. The e-safety committee presented a PowerPoint presentation in a whole school assembly. Each class had also been asked to design e-safety posters and one winner was selected from each class for a prize for their amazing e-safety poster. Congratulations to the winners.

Our school has registered on the Safer Internet Day website – the only school in Fermanagh! Check out the Safer Internet Day website and find us on the UK map to see our activities for the day.

Our digital leaders had to make lots of difficult decisions when judging the poster competition but the final 8 winners were announced in our assembly on Thursday 8th Feb.  The prizes were presented and all winning entries are displayed throughout our school.