To Apply for our Sixth Form

    Click here

    Online Safety at Beckfoot

    Our school is an inclusive community where all students voices are heard. Through effective communication and strong leadership, we deliver positive initiatives in our school, our local community and the wider world. We build a community where learners help shape their own bright futures through active participation in school life.

    Beckfoot School prides itself on providing a safe learning environment for all students. The benefits of the internet and other technologies are tremendous; however the inappropriate use of such technology is becoming a concern.

    In recent years, the rise of various online platforms and digital communication tools has brought increased awareness to the issue of cyberbullying, the misuse of information communication technology (ICT) such as mobile phones and the internet, to cause distress to others. Cyberbullying can take many forms, including:

    • text messages sent to mobile phones
    • posts on popular social networking sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, etc.
    • messages sent through platforms like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp
    • emails

    Many social networking sites contain instant messaging components that allow users to chat with others and to post statements that ordinarily would not be said in face-to-face conversation. At Beckfoot School students are not allowed access to social networking websites on school computers or any other websites deemed to contain unsuitable material.

    We advise parents/carers to:

    Talk with your child about the safe use of the internet and make them aware of the potential dangers. If your child is using these sites you may want to review their profile including the use of privacy settings to ensure that no personal and identifiable information has been posted. The media has highlighted instances of adults posing as young people and gaining access to personal information which enables possible predators to make contact with the young person. In some cases such contacts have led to tragedy.

    Monitor their child’s use of the Internet. Social networking sites are in the public domain, and anything posted there can be viewed by anyone with Internet access. Although most of what is written is not immoral, offensive or illegal. Some of it is.

    Cyber Strategy

    “Beckfoot School is committed to developing digitally literate, cyber-safe and future-ready young people. Our curriculum empowers students to learn safely online, think critically and use technology responsibly. Working in partnership with parents, carers and our wider community, we ensure no child is left behind as they become knowledgeable, confident and secure users of the digital world.“

    Cyberbullying

    A worrying trend in recent times is the posting of videos or photos of other students or staff on popular platforms such as TikTok. This must not happen. We treat such invasions of privacy with the utmost seriousness and will not hesitate to involve the police or apply the school’s behaviour policy, which may include exclusion.

    Cyberbullying refers to bullying carried out through technology. Whether it occurs on social media, via mobile phones, or through gaming platforms, it can have devastating effects on young people. There are steps that can be taken to help prevent a child from being bullied. The Department for Education has issued a leaflet offering guidance for parents and carers on understanding and addressing cyberbullying. One disturbing feature in recent times is the ability to post videos or photos of other students or staff onto popular platforms like TikTok. You must not do this. We take this kind of invasion of privacy very seriously and will not hesitate to involve the police or to use the school’s behaviour policy to exclude students who do this.

    Click here for information on our ‘Anti-bullying policy’.

    Information available

    ParentZone has free online programmes for parents/carers about the online risks facing children.

    ParentInfo is a series of articles curated by Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre and Parentzone with advice on keeping children safe.

    National Online Safety to parents and carers provides free information downloads from their website or you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for up to date and regular advice and guidance. 

    Further advice and guidance can be obtained from:

    Collaboration

    Thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping our students safe.

    If you have any concerns regarding online safety and cyber bullying please contact the DSL or a member of your child’s year team, whose details can be found here.

    National Online Safety Posters