Online Safety
The safety and wellbeing of our students, here at RBA is of paramount importance, both in terms of the physical world but of equal importance is that of the online world. If we are to provide an “education for a changing world”, all of our students need to be made aware of the benefits and dangers of an online presence, for now so many activities and experiences take place through various digital devices and in various virtual spheres. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those people who might try to exploit them.
Almost all cyberbullying incidents take place outside of school hours. We explain to students that their online conduct outside hours still needs to meet the high standards of behaviour we would expect in school and all reports of cyberbullying will be investigated and taken seriously.
If you need to report an incident, please contact your son/daughter’s Head of Year in the first instance. We are here to support you and we will do whatever we can to help and keep students safe. If the incident occurs outside of our jurisdiction, it may be necessary for us to advise you to call the police non-emergency number (101).
How does the school educate students about online safety?
The school has developed a programme to support education around online safety, which is delivered to students in various forms from when they arrive in Year 7 until they leave in Year 13. Our programme covers issues such as online safety, trustworthiness of websites, online threats such as malware, digital currency, cyberbullying, sexting, digital footprint and building a positive digital reputation.
The programme is delivered via:
- Social Studies lessons (Years 7-11)
- Core Skills lessons (Years 12-13)
- Pastoral assembly programme
- LEAD days [Learning, Enrichment Activities Days]
- The annual Safer Internet Day in February
How can you protect your child online
We encourage parents to maintain active discussions with their children around online safety, put filtering in place at home and to impose sensible time limits on the use of devices at home.
For those parents who are concerned about their children’s safety or the internet, the following sites provide useful advice:
Thinkuknow - Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
UK Safer Internet Centre - Advice about smartphones, gaming devices, tablets and other internet-connected devices
Net Aware - Your guide to apps, games and social media sites
Useful information and guides to the latest apps
What parents need to know about Fortnite
What parents need to know about Houseparty
What parents need to know about Instagram
What parents need to know about Online Grooming
What parents need to know about Sexting
What parents need to know about Social Media & Mental Health
What parents need to know about Snapchat
What parents need to know about TikTok
What parents need to know about WhatsApp
What parents need to know about YouTube
What parents need to know about Yubo
