Hornsey School for Girls, in
Haringey, is a unique setting with a dynamic and exciting learning environment.
The school places a high importance on empowering its whole community to keep
children safe in the digital world.
Samira Ali, Assistant
Headteacher, offered an insight into how National Online Safety’s Certified
School Membership has enabled the whole school community to help keep children
safe on the internet.
The importance of online
safety
Having
started out as a computer science teacher, Samira recognises the central role that
technology plays in children’s everyday life.
Ensuring
all key stakeholders are kept abreast of the latest developments in online
safety, therefore, is imperative – as is providing them with the education to
empower them in supervising children’s use of digital technology.
Samira
revealed: “I'm actually a computer science teacher, so I've always loved all
things tech!
"When
it comes to technology, being prepared is vital," she nodded. "The
digital world provides children with endless opportunities - but at the same
time, we know that new risks are emerging every single day.
"For
us, being prepared and understanding these risks is crucial."
Joining National Online
Safety
A
whole-school approach to safeguarding is crucial for Hornsey School for Girls,
and National Online Safety’s package fully aligned with their values and
ambitions.
Samira
explained: "My headteacher chose to join National Online Safety. She is
very aware of the risks that come along with online safety."
"I
think the fact that National Online Safety takes every single stakeholder into
account is fantastic," Samira continued. "It's not just for staff
members - it's for parents and carers too."
"Aside
from the webinars and courses, there are lesson plans on the platform as well.
They have been invaluable for us," she enthused.
"We've
been incorporating those into our lessons, and that is probably one of the
biggest positives for our school."
Pupils’
home life can obviously be a huge factor in preventing exposure to harmful
content and behaviours online, so Hornsey School for Girls focused on
increasing that engagement from parents and carers.
Samira
said: "It's great that we can engage with our parents and carers at a time
that suits them."
"When
we introduced the platform to our parents and carers, I could see lots of them
nodding and finding the resources really helpful,” she continued.
"At
the moment, we have various user groups and watchlists set up on the platform
and have found those features extremely useful; I can share specific resources
that will be beneficial for those individual groups."
Highlighting
the biggest benefit of our programme for the school, Samira mused: "It's
the fact that the programme has been developed for every single person in the
school community."
"It's so easy to use too," she added. "If parents and carers see their child using a new app, game or device, they can type that into the search bar on National Online Safety and find a relevant guide to support them at home.”
