All internet use at Brierley is filtered and monitored. This means:

• We use School Protect (via our broadband provider LGfL) to block harmful or inappropriate content
• All online activity on school devices is monitored by OnGuard, which alerts our Designated Safeguarding Lead to any safeguarding concerns. Trust safeguarding leads test its effectiveness regularly
• Learners only access sites that have been approved for educational use

We review our approach regularly and our safeguarding team stays up to date with guidance from the Department for Education.

If an online safety incident involves your child, we will always let you know. We will contact you directly and explain what happened and what steps we are taking.

National guidance for schools identifies four main areas where children can be at risk online. It's worth knowing what these are so you can spot the signs at home.

Content — coming across things that are harmful or upsetting, such as violent images, material that promotes self-harm, or extremist content. This can sometimes happen accidentally.

Contact — unwanted contact from adults or other young people online. This includes grooming — where an adult builds trust with a child over time with the intention of causing harm.

Conduct — the way children behave online, including sharing images they shouldn't, being unkind to others, or doing things under pressure from peers.

Commerce — things like online gambling, scams, or in-app purchases that children may not fully understand.

We teach our learners about these risks in age and stage-appropriate ways throughout the school year.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools — like chatbots, image generators and AI built into games and apps — are becoming part of everyday life. Children can access them more easily than most adults realise.

Here's what's worth knowing:

• AI tools can produce content that is inaccurate, biased or upsetting
• Some AI tools collect and store personal information — children should not share names, photos or details about themselves or their family
• AI-generated images and videos — known as "deepfakes" — can look very real. They can be used to bully, harass or humiliate, including by creating fake explicit images of real people. This is something we take very seriously
• People sometimes use AI tools as part of grooming — for example, creating fake personas or images
• Not everything AI says is true. It is worth talking to your child about checking information from other sources

The best thing you can do is keep AI use somewhere you can see it, and make it something you talk about together — not something secretive.

The Department for Education has published guidance on the safe use of AI in schools, which we follow. If you have concerns about AI and your child, speak to our safeguarding team.

Talk little and often. You don't need to sit down for a big conversation — short, regular chats work better. Ask what they've been watching, who they've been talking to, what apps they like.

Use parental controls. Most devices, apps and broadband providers have parental control settings. They aren't perfect, but they help. Internet Matters has step-by-step guides for most devices.

Know their apps. The apps popular with children change quickly. Net Aware gives plain-English reviews of apps and social media platforms from a child safety perspective.

Make it normal. Children are more likely to tell you if something goes wrong online if they know they won't be in trouble. Remind them that you're on their side.

Children with additional needs can be at higher risk online — for example, they may find it harder to recognise when someone's intentions aren't genuine, or may be more likely to share personal information.

These organisations have resources written specifically for SEND families:

• NSPCC — Online safety for families and children with SEND
• Internet Matters — SEN digital toolkit for parents
• Childnet — STAR SEND Toolkit — includes symbol-supported resources

If you're worried about something your child has seen or experienced online:

• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) — www.ceop.police.uk — report online abuse or grooming
• Childline — 0800 1111 — free, confidential, 24 hours
• Report Harmful Content — www.reportharmfulcontent.com
• School — contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Melanie Boffey: info.brierley@coopacademies.co.uk / 0113 323 0073

Each month we share an online safety newsletter with practical tips and information for families. The most recent three are below.