Online-safety reporting and behaviour policy

This policy applies to the school’s online activity, including use of school networks and facilities and pupil devices used at school. It applies to maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England where adopted by the school.

Our expectations

The school expects the same standards of behaviour whenever a pupil is online at school, including in class, when logged on at the library, or when using a personal device in the playground.

Online-safety principles will be reflected in the school’s relevant policies and practice, including its safeguarding and child-protection, behaviour and bullying arrangements. The school will communicate these expectations to staff, pupils, parents and carers.

Reporting online concerns

Pupils should seek support when they are worried about something online, including inappropriate contact or content, cyberbullying, or another unacceptable online behaviour. They should tell a trusted adult and use [online reporting route] to report a concern to the school.

The school’s safeguarding and child-protection reporting processes are available through [designated safeguarding lead role]. Online-safety reporting routes should be explained in child-friendly and accessible language and kept aligned with those processes.

Depending on the concern, pupils may also access support from the police, the National Crime Agency’s Click CEOP reporting service, Childline or the Internet Watch Foundation. Cyber crime, fraud and suspicious online activity may be reported through Action Fraud, and online scams may be reported to the Advertising Standards Authority where appropriate.

Responding to concerns and unacceptable behaviour

The school will take appropriate and consistent action when a pupil reports unacceptable online behaviour by another pupil, including cyberbullying, or shares a concern about something seen online.

Responses to online concerns will be linked to the school’s safeguarding, child-protection, behaviour and bullying arrangements. The school will apply its online behaviour expectations consistently across school networks, facilities and pupil devices used at school.

Supporting pupils, staff and families

Pupils will be taught how to identify trusted adults, access school and relevant external support, report inappropriate contact or content, and report cyber crime or fraud where appropriate. This teaching will be linked to the school’s safeguarding and child-protection reporting policies and processes.

Staff, pupils, parents and carers will be given information about the school’s online-safety principles and reporting processes. The school will support parents and carers to apply the same online-safety principles at home.

Communication and application

The school will present reporting routes and expectations in a way that pupils can understand and use. Staff, pupils, parents and carers should use the school’s current safeguarding and child-protection reporting arrangements when an online concern may involve a safeguarding or child-protection incident.