Online Safety

School Network and Wi-fi

• The school network, including our Wi-fi is not open to students’ personal devices.
• Students have to log in individually; this allows us to monitor activity on an individual basis.
• Access is restricted, with filtering systems in place to block inappropriate web content.
• Each teacher has remote access to each of the computers in their classroom or boarding house, allowing real time remote monitoring
• All computer access is monitored by a member of staff.
• We use NetSupport DNA, which allows us to track and safeguard our students whilst on the school network.  

• The following sites have useful information on Internet safety:

  • www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
  • www.net-aware.org.uk
  • www.parentinfo.org
  • www.childnet.com
  • https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/

  • uk-council-for-child-Internet-safety-ukccis
  • Internet watch foundation
  • Internet matters
  • UK safer Internet centre
  • safeguardingresourcehub.co.uk

When can the Internet be accessed?

• The school network facility is continuously available
• The residential network is available between 3pm and 10pm

What we can’t control

• If your child has a mobile device then it is likely they will have access to the Internet via their provider.
• The 3G and 4G phone networks are good within the Sevenoaks area; this allows for faster download speeds and more reliable Internet services over the phone.
• We are not able to monitor the use of the Internet via personal mobile devices (data enabled devices – eg. Mobile phones, iPad, iPod, Microsoft Surface, Samsung Galaxy Note etc).
• We are unable to restrict usage times of personal mobile devices.
• We are unable to limit access to inappropriate websites and content.

Online Safety Act

The Online Safety Act takes a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children by making sure the buck stops with social media platforms for content they host. It does this by making sure they:

• remove illegal content quickly or prevent it from appearing in the first place, including content promoting self-harm
• prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content including pornographic content, content that promotes, encourages or provides instructions for suicide, self-harm or eating disorders, content depicting or encouraging serious violence or bullying content
• enforce age limits and use age-checking measures on platforms where content harmful to children is published
• ensure social media platforms are more transparent about the risks and dangers posed to children on their sites, including by publishing risk assessments
• provide parents and children with clear and accessible ways to report problems online when they do arise.

Online Safety Act: explainer - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)