The internet is a powerful educational tool and an important part of our lives and learning. Our strong educational provision and ethos builds student’s resilience to online risks by developing students’ confidence and skills.
We are committed to ensuring that our students are safe online and we have a comprehensive set of ICT and safeguarding policies in place at school. Our network of computers have internet connectivity which is filtered and monitored by Smoothwall. Students in Key Stages 3 and 4 do not use their own devices in school. All students turn off their phones and store them in bags and lockers so they are not visible during the school day.
Students and parents sign a Code of Conduct/Acceptable Use Policy, when they start at Cockermouth School, which acts as an agreement between school, parents and students to ensure that the school’s facilities are used appropriately at all times.
During some lessons, students will have supervised access to the internet. Sixth Form students may use their own and school devices during independent study sessions.
The IT and safeguarding teams act on alerts provided by Smoothwall to ensure our filtering and monitoring is secure and responsive and students are supported where necessary. We also remind students they have a responsibility to report concerns and that they do not send or share material which is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people.
The school works in partnership with parents and carers to promote online safety. Parents and carers are responsible for setting the standards and monitoring the online behaviour of their children at home and in the community. During the school day, staff will guide and educate students to enable them to stay safe online. Outside of school, families bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio and other potentially offensive media.
Cockermouth School reserves the right to revoke the privilege of online access or the use of information technologies, if users do not follow the school’s policies and procedures designed to protect the security and integrity of Cockermouth School’s data and technology infrastructure.
Students are taught to be aware of issues surrounding the use of the Internet, phishing, cyberbullying, the dangers of pornography and healthy relationships using social media via computing online safety and PD lessons, and they are aware of who to contact if they have a concern.
Cockermouth School staff all complete annual training in online safety with the National College. Parents and carers should contact the school if they would like advice and guidance regarding online safety training opportunities for themselves.
We share The National College's #WakeUpWednesday posts on Facebook every week. #WakeUpWednesday exists to help parents and educators keep children safe online, support their wellbeing and empower them to become positive actors against climate change. The #WakeUpWednesday initiative includes free access to guides, courses, helpful videos and tips on hot topics such as online risks, using social media responsibly, how to encourage positive wellbeing and practical steps to support sustainability.
Please click links below for further information:
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)
IWF (Internet Watch Foundation)