Online Safety at Leyland Methodist Schools

Online Safety is an essential part of modern life. At Leyland Methodist Schools, we are committed to educating our children about safe online practices and equipping them with the knowledge to navigate the digital world responsibly.

Our Online Safety Curriculum

Our Online Safety curriculum is delivered through 1decision, covering key aspects of digital safety, responsibility, and wellbeing. This is further supported through PSHE lessons and national initiatives such as Safer Internet Day.

Online Safety Hub

We are proud to offer an Online Safety Hub at https://leylandmethodistschools.onlinesafetyhub.uk/ provided by Smoothwall. This platform offers guidance, resources, and support for pupils, parents, and staff to ensure safe internet use at home and in school.

Additionally, Smoothwall provides training for staff and workshops for pupils and parents, reinforcing our commitment to a whole-community approach to online safety.

Supporting Parents and Carers

We recognise the crucial role that parents and carers play in keeping children safe online. To maintain open communication, we will share updates through surveys, questionnaires, and newsletters. If you have any concerns or need advice, please speak to a member of our Online Safety Team:

Online Safety Team:

• Mrs K Chadwick – Headteacher
• Mrs N Rogerson – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & SENDCo
• Miss J Hollings – Deputy DSL
• Mr B Meadows – Strategic Lead of ICT
• Mrs P Rainford – IT Support

Keeping Children Safe Online

Parents are encouraged to work alongside the school to teach children about online safety. The internet offers incredible learning opportunities, but it also comes with risks. Understanding how to guide your child’s online experiences is key to keeping them safe.

Get Safe Online has created a simple checklist for parents to help protect children online:

• Advice if your child is under 5 years old
• Checklist for 6–9-year-olds

Talking to Your Child About Online Safety

Here are some conversation starters from Childnet to help you monitor and support your child’s online activity:

• Ask your child about the websites they visit and what they enjoy doing online.
• Discuss online safety strategies. What do they think is safe or unsafe to share?
• Ensure they know where to find safety advice and how to report or block content.
• Encourage them to teach you something about the digital world!

Revisit these discussions regularly and consider ways to enhance your family’s online experiences together.

Online Safety Resources for Parents and Carers

These websites provide valuable support and guidance for keeping children safe online:

• ThinkUKnow – Advice from the National Crime Agency
• Internet Matters – Practical safety tips for families
• Parent Info – Digital advice for parents
• LGfL – Resources for online safety
• Net Aware – NSPCC’s guide to apps and games
• Let’s Talk About It – Information on preventing online radicalisation
• UK Safer Internet Centre – Expert tips and advice

For further guidance, check out these useful articles and activities:

• Video Chatting: A Guide for Parents
• Government Guidelines on Video Conferencing
• Home Online Safety Activities

Games, Books, and Films – Finding Age-Appropriate Content

If you need help deciding which games, books, or films are suitable for your child, these resources can help:

• Taming Gaming – A guide to understanding video games for parents
• Common Sense Media – Reviews and advice on digital content for families

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we are dedicated to fostering a safe and positive online environment for all pupils. Visit our Online Safety Hub for the latest updates and resources.