Keeping children safe when using technology.

Consider this:

• Can your child access the internet independently on 1 or more devices, e.g. tablet (iPad, Kindle, Galaxy Tab, etc), computer or mobile phone?
• Does an adult always supervise when your child is accessing the internet on a device to surf, play games, view photos & videos, listen to music etc.?
• Do you have parental controls in place on devices (tablet/computer/mobile phone) to protect your child from access to inappropriate content?

If you need advice to learn about e-safety issues, or need help to protect your family when accessing modern technology, we have listed some of the most helpful internet sites below. Alternatively you can contact the school for advice.

• NSPCC
• Internetmatters
• Windows 10
• Parentalcontrols
• Internet Matters
• Protecting Children’s Privacy Online
• Child Line

Our Vision for IT:

Pupils

• Equal opportunities to access ICT (Information & Communication Technologies).
• Develop digital skills via symbols, images, graphics, text, sound, music and video to support communication and learning.
• Empower pupils to communicate and learn with ICT via computers and assistive devices, e.g. touch screens, switches, iPads, Eye Gaze.
• Work with SLT to identify pupils who may benefit from high-tech AAC*.
• Enable AAC* users to communicate functionally at school and at home.
• E-safeguarding of confidential information.
• E-safety: use devices and internet safely.
• Improve provision of ICT: enhancing sensory exploration, cross-curricular teaching, and individual learning targets.
• Parental guidance on available ICT resources and supporting applications for funding.
• Encourage pupils’ access to ICT beyond the school to nurture the full potential of digital skills. 
• School's filtering and monitoring processes in place in line with KCSIE 

Staff

• Promote and share professional development of digital skills.
• Welcome requests for help from ICT Support and colleagues.
• Training opportunities to increase skills in identified areas.
• Improve confidence to use ICT with students for learning and communication.
• Evaluate students’ progress in ICT.
• Encourage a positive culture of celebrating ICT attainment within, and beyond, the school.
• E-safeguarding of confidential information, including encrypted data and respect for school privacy on social media sites.
• E-safety: support our students to access the internet under supervision; safe use of equipment. 
• School's filtering and monitoring processes in place in line with KCSIE 

Community

• School website: our main public resource for promoting all aspects of school life, inc. teaching and learning, school services, FOM (Friends of Mapledown), current activities and events for parents, students and visitors.
• Provide parents with access to their child's progress reports, pupil targets and annual reviews; confidential information to school governors and stakeholders.
• Outreach: supporting our parents, fellow professionals and the community with advice on all aspects of ICT.