Keeping Our Children Safe in a Digital Age: A Headteacher's Perspective
As Headteacher, the safety and wellbeing of every student is my highest priority, and that responsibility extends far beyond the school gates and deep into the digital world they inhabit every day.
We are living through a period of profound change in how young people interact. As a nation, we have recently taken a significant step with the introduction of the Online Safety Act 2023. This landmark legislation acknowledges what we, as parents and educators, see daily: the risks our children face online—from cyberbullying and harmful content to pressure in group chats and on social media platforms—are serious and require a collective, focused response.
Our Collective Responsibility: Open Dialogue
While the government and tech companies have a role to play in enforcement and safety-by-design, the most immediate and impactful protection lies within the home.
I cannot stress enough the importance of regular, non-judgmental conversations about your child's digital life. This isn't about surveillance; it's about connection and understanding. Do you know which platforms they use? Who they talk to? What content they consume? Opening these dialogues helps build the trust needed for them to approach you when something goes wrong.
Online Safety in the Classroom
At school, we are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge to navigate the internet safely and responsibly.
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Curriculum Focus: Online safety is interwoven into our PSHE curriculum and daily tutor time sessions.
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Targeted Learning: For our KS4 students, we are currently using their 'Reading for Study' time to delve into the ethical and safety issues arising from online interaction, ensuring their digital citizenship skills evolve with the risks they face.
Resources and Support for Parents
Knowledge is power, and I strongly recommend utilising the excellent resources available through our local Safeguarding Children Partnership. Their dedicated parent/carer hub provides practical advice and guidance:
The Digital World as a Force for Good: Introducing Kooth
It is also vital to remember that the internet is not solely a place of risk; it is a powerful tool for connection, learning, and support.
A great example of the digital world being used for good is Kooth. We recently shared a video about this resource, and I want to highlight it again. Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online mental health and wellbeing platform for young people aged 11 to 25.
It offers vital support through:
I urge you to take a few moments to watch the informational video with your child to ensure they are fully aware of this excellent support network, should they ever need it: https://vimeo.com/1015566218.
By working together—at home, at school, and in line with national safety goals—we can help our children thrive in this complex digital world.
It has been another busy and productive week at Carisbrooke. I would like to begin by congratulating Year 11 on their mature approach to this week’s trial examinations. Their preparation, conduct and behaviour have been excellent. The results will help teachers, students and parents identify the best next steps for GCSE revision and will be discussed with you at the upcoming Parents' Evening on 4 December.
Act of Remembrance
Football Success
Swimming Success
