For Alderman
Richard Hallam Primary School, equipping their staff with the latest online
safety knowledge is essential. The school places a huge emphasis on ensuring
that all pupils are taught in a way which empowers them to make safe decisions
when they’re online.
Wayne Holder, School Business Manager, joined us
to discuss how the school has benefited from their Certified School Membership
so far.
Joining
National Online Safety
Reflecting on the school’s decision to join
National Online Safety, Wayne began: “I support
our CPD lead with The National College, and we've recently purchased a license
for National Online Safety too. It all works together really well.”
“We really wanted to increase
parental engagement, which is why we chose to join National Online Safety,” he
added. “We can see how many parents and carers have engaged with the resources,
which is great.”
A whole-school approach to
safeguarding is crucial for Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School, and
National Online Safety’s package fully aligned with the school’s values and
ambitions.
“The ability to have
safeguarding training in a central location is fantastic,” Wayne nodded.
“We can complete specific
online safety training, which is really great because most safeguarding
training is more generic. It'll be great to upskill our other DSLs with the
training from National Online Safety.”
Keeping
children safe in the online world
Wayne recognises the central
role that the internet plays in children’s everyday life. Ensuring that all stakeholders
are kept abreast of the latest developments in online safety, therefore, is key
– as is providing the education to empower them in supervising pupils’ use of
digital technology.
"The monthly updates are
going to be very useful,” Wayne confirmed. “They allow us to keep informed and
up to date with the latest online risks and dangers.”
“We don’t always know what
children are doing online, so being able to learn more about apps, games and
devices with National Online Safety will be really beneficial,” he explained. “It’s
going to allow us to become more proactive, rather than reactive, to online
safety concerns.”
Wayne continued: "The fact
that people can complete the webinars and courses in their own time is great.
That flexibility encourages staff to take their own initiative with CPD: it
works around them.
“We’ve had a great uptake so
far, but we can definitely see that being increased with the new platform.”
