e-Safety in Schools

There are safe search engines that children can use with confidence! Both are operated by the BBC, one of which is specifically aimed at use by younger children.

BBC Search Engine
CBBC Search Engine

The BBC Search Engine is comprehensive, UK focused and safe, and can be recommended for general school use; however younger children may find the CBBC Search Engine more suited to their needs. The CBBC search is more restricted and only returns results from known child friendly sites with real value.

Main features of The BBC Search Engine

• Family Friendly - they use a combination of technology and regular human checks to detect and block offensive websites, and aim (are!) the safest search engine in the UK.
• UK-focused - dedicated to serving a UK audience. The BBC use special software to bring websites which are more relevant to people living, working and studying in the UK to the top of their search results.
• BBC Recommended - BBC expert editors carry out research into popular topics and recommend the best websites available. They also highlight useful links from BBC News, Sport, Entertainment and Education.

CLICK HERE for information on how to use BBC search.

Schools should consider using the BBC search engine, and if a school's own home page isn't provided, make it this one! Its also great for children to use at home. Personally I would like to see it available in a form that can be embedded in a school home page.

The thinkuknow Cybercafé for Key Stage 2 pupils has been developed by CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection), alongside BECTA (The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) and the Internet Proficiency Group. It aims to develop safe and discriminating behaviour for pupils to adopt when using the internet and other technologies.

Developed by teachers for teachers, the Cybercafé can be used safe in the knowledge that these free resources are appropriate for meeting whole-school policies relating to safeguarding, and are fit for use in the classroom as well as within the PSHE/ICT curriculum.

The resources include a teachers’ pack, which contains teaching activities and background information on new technologies, including advice and guidance on staying safe, lesson plans and pupils’ worksheets.

There is also an interactive resource that uses activities to engage pupils through lessons covering the use of new technologies including email and mobile phones safely, as well as social networking sites and online profiles. The programme is aimed at 8 to 11 year olds and the resources below have been created for teachers working with them.

To help teachers educate children to develop 'safe and responsible' behaviours in their use of ICT, Becta, the DfES and QCA have developed this free teacher's pack which includes background information and guidance and complements the work in curriculum subjects.

You can download the individual lesson plans and worksheets of the Internet Proficiency pack from GridClub website.

Another predatory sleaze-bag is about to be sent down. Paedophile Shaun Pudwell of Gillingham in Medway was found guilty of attempting to groom three schoolgirls from other parts of the UK. Pudwell was also found guilty on nine other counts, including five of making indecent photographs of children, inciting child prostitution or pornography and three counts of causing a child to watch pornography.

The Police were clear "... I'm glad these young girls were confident enough in their local police to come forward and speak with us and I would encourage any other young people ... to do the same"

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), together with the Police and other agenices are really making a difference.  It is equally important that schools ensure children know how to report incidents, and that clear supporting policies and procedures are in place!