E-Safety and Internet Filtering

The internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. The Trust has a duty to provide students with quality internet access as part of their learning experience. Internet use is a part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils.

At Barrow Hedges, we recognise the importance of computing and how it supports the learning of other curriculum subjects.  We are always striving to find new and exciting ways to develop pupils computing skills. As a school, we have a unique role protecting children while preparing them for life outside of school; a life that now includes an online world.  Our computing curriculum includes an element of E-Safety each term where we aim to educate and empower pupils so that they understand the risks, build resilience and ultimately become good "cyber citizens".

During Safer Internet Day, the children ‘took a pledge’ to say that they commit to safe and responsible use of technology. The children were taught about keeping safe when using the internet through a special assembly and a series of lessons.  We take the E-Safety pledge annually as a reminder of the importance of e-safety but also try to foster an open environment in which children are encouraged to ask questions and have an ongoing conversation about the dangers and benefits of the online world.

The academy’s internet access is designed expressly for pupil use and will include filtering appropriate to the age of pupils. Pupils will be taught what internet use is acceptable and what is not and given clear objectives for internet use. Pupils will be educated in the effective use of the internet in research, including the skills of knowledge location, retrieval and evaluation.

The academy will ensure that the use of internet-derived materials by staff and pupils complies with copyright law. Pupils will be taught to be critically aware of the materials they read and shown how to validate information before accepting its accuracy.

We expect all children at Barrow Hedges to follow our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) when using technology at school.  Click on the link below to download a copy (it could be useful at home too).  In addition, our E-Safety Policy can be found by clicking on the hyperlink or going to the 'Key Information' tab, then policies.

Access to the internet at Barrow Hedges Primary School, and all sites within Cirrus Primary Academy Trust, is carefully monitored. This is made clear to all users through written statements where access is available, including on information displaying guest wireless access.

Through the computing curriculum, Pupils are taught to be aware of the 4 main risks involved in using the internet, often referred to as the 4C’s: 

Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material 
Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users 
Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm 
Commerce: these are risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising and financial scams.

All pupils learn about the SMART Rules in e-safety lessons from Reception – Year 6.

Generative AI 

All schools follow DfE guidance on the use of Generative AI: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education - GOV.UK Updated 12 August 2025  

Through the computing curriculum, pupils are taught to have a critical mindset. As AI becomes part of everyday life, pupils must understand: 

• How AI works at a basic level 

• What AI can and cannot do 

• How to question AI outputs responsibly 

• How to use AI ethically and safely 

Critical thinking helps pupils: 

• Question whether an AI answer is trustworthy 

• Check evidence and compare sources 

• Spot inconsistencies or missing context 

• Recognise when AI is presenting a narrow or biased viewpoint 

Pupils are taught about artificial intelligence at an age-appropriate level. This includes a balance between the positive impact of AI, as well as the challenges and risks it presents. 

Staff receive training on the safe and effective use of AI in schools. The Safeguarding team also receive regular training and updates on the specific safeguarding risks related to generative AI. 

 Click here for our statement regarding Internet Filtering

To support staff and parents with keeping children safe online, please see:

• NSPCC Resources

Below, you will find useful links and documents to help you to support us with keeping children safe online along with information to help your child learn how to use the Internet safely at home.

Online Safety Advice for Parents

https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/

http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/

http://www.childnet.com/

E-Safety Policy

Ms C Davies is the Subject Leader for Online Safety.