Internet Safety

1. E-Safety in Falkirk Schools
Current Provision
Malcolm Wilson
ICT Curriculum Development Officer
malcolm.wilson@falkirk.gov.uk
Tel: 01324 503766
Falkirk Council
Education Services

2. It’s about Education
 The advances in technology have
brought exciting and innovative tools to
teaching and learning.
 Students and teachers can easily create
multimedia resources, communicate in
real time, any time, any place, and
anywhere.
 Students can access information, create
and represent their ideas in a digital form
that best suits their learning styles.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

3. What do we do about E-safety now in
Falkirk Schools?
AUP
Computer systems
E-mail systems
Internet Filters
Teaching Resources
Guidance
Audit / school self-evaluation tools
CPD
Falkirk Council
Education Services

4. Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
On enrolment of their child in a Falkirk
school the enrolment procedure includes
signing up to an acceptable use policy in
the use of ICT.
There is also an AUP for all staff
Schools determine roles and
responsibilities and actions to be taken
Falkirk Council
Education Services

5. Computer Systems
Users have different access – each has
own username and password
Schools provide visibly different desktops
for pupils and for staff so at a glance it is
easy to check that pupils are not using a
computer inadvertently left logged on by a
staff member.
Additional information and access rights for
staff
Falkirk Council
Education Services

6. E-mail systems
Email systems
Gaggle and Glow Mail provide systems
which can be managed by schools
Word Filters
block messages being sent with offensive
words
Tracking and monitoring
Allow schools to identify where issues arise
and deal with these issues accordingly.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

7. Internet Filters - searches
 Falkirk Virtual Teacher Centre (VTC) website
has Google search box on the first page.
 This automatically uses the Google SafeSearch tool
(in addition to the Council webfilters within schools) -
and should be encouraged for use at home too.
 All other search engines accessed directly are
forced to their “safe search” condition
 filters out unsuitable content within searches.
 In addition word filters are used to restrict
search criteria and website access.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

8. Internet Filters – websites
 Popups and Adverts are blocked
 Prevents unsuitable content appearing in adverts within open
web pages.
 Staff get access to extra facilities
 staff get access to sites to which pupils will not get access.
 If a member of staff finds themselves unable to access a
website which they know to be a useful teaching resource, only
staff are presented with a screen which enables them to
directly request access.
 If staff find a resource which they believe should be
blocked from access by pupils in school then staff can
report this via the ICT Service Desk link from their PC
or by sending an e-mail to
logcall.servicedesk@falkirk.gov.uk.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

9. What can teachers do?
 Teachers encourage pupils to use online
resources when undertaking curricular work
either in school or at home.
 So it is important for all staff to reinforce safety
messages to all pupils.
 The safety of our pupils online is the
responsibility of all staff.
 Online safety skills are skills for life.
 If our children can make sensible and informed
choices online they can get the most from the
internet and stay safe whilst doing so.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

10. Teaching Resources – pupil resources
 Becta, the UK agency concerned with the use of ICT in education,
produced the Internet proficiency scheme and we provided their
teaching packs for every school as a result.
 E-safety online resources on first page of the Falkirk VTC
(www.falkirkvtc.org.uk)
 first page primary pupils will see when logging onto the internet in
schools. These include age-specific interactive activities at
www.thinkuknow.co.uk - so pupils from primary 1 to S6 will find
material here relevant to them presented in ways designed to appeal
to the different age groups.
 The Thinkuknow website has an excellent area for teachers. There
you’ll find films, presentations, games, lesson plans and posters
covering a range of issues including cyber-bullying. All of these
resources encourage young people to have fun with new
technology, whilst staying in control of the risks. Importantly, they
also teach young people where to go if they have any concerns.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

11. Teaching Resources – pupil resources
 Becta, the UK agency concerned with the use of ICT in education,
produced the Internet proficiency scheme and we provided their
teaching packs for every school as a result.
 Highly recommended are the e-safety online resources which can
be found on the very first page of the Falkirk VTC
(www.falkirkvtc.org.uk) which is the very first page primary pupils
will see when logging onto the internet in schools. These include
age-specific interactive activities at www.thinkuknow.co.uk - so
pupils from primary 1 to S6 will find material here relevant to them
presented in ways designed to appeal to the different age groups.
 The Thinkuknow website has an excellent area for teachers. There
you’ll find films, presentations, games, lesson plans and posters
covering a range of issues including cyber-bullying. All of these
resources encourage young people to have fun with new
technology, whilst staying in control of the risks. Importantly, they
also teach young people where to go if they have any concerns.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

12. Guidance -
 When new national resources become
available these have been presented to
schools via sessions for primary ICT Co-
ordinators. These have included
 Byron report - looked at what schools could
do in response to various issues including
gaming technology, video games, mobile
phones and social networking sites.
 In response to concerns specifically about
the misuse of mobile phones work was done
within the council to produce material
distributed to all families.
Falkirk Council
Education Services

13. Guidance – School Websites
 Schools are encouraged to include links to e-
safety resources on their own school
websites.
 falkirkvtc.org.uk
 thinkuknow.co.uk
 Schools are advised to avoid naming
individuals with photographs on websites
 Schools are advised to use forms for contacts
rather than e-mail addresses
Falkirk Council
Education Services

14. Guidance – for Parents
 Thinkuknow website has resources to
support parents in keeping their
children safe online
 www.thinkuknow.co.uk
 Recommended that these are
highlighted regularly in school
newsletters to parents.
 Becta publication “Here’s How You Can
Support your child’s learning with
technology” issued to all ICT Co-
ordinators for sharing with parents
 www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/en/Pare
nts/
Falkirk Council
Education Services

15. Audit / School self-evaluation tools
To help schools evaluate their
e-safety provision and provide material
to support schools moving on from where
they are
 National Education Network E-Safety Audit tool
 www.portal.northerngrid.org/ngflwebsite/esafety_audit_tool/
esafety_audit_tool.html
 Becta School Self-evaluation tool
 https://selfreview.becta.org.uk/
Falkirk Council
Education Services

16. CPD
Courses which are provided by Falkirk
using ICT, whether online blogging or
creation of video or use of photographs
on school websites have always included
reference to practical steps which
teachers can take to safeguard children.
Falkirk Council
Education Services