How children use ICT at school:

Many activities involve computer software that is not connected to the internet and is produced in the same way that books are written, i.e. to be appropriate for particular age groups. Using ICT in school is important as it can:

• Help improve a child’s achievement;
• Prepare children with skills for life for the ‘digital age’;
• Encourage children to enjoy learning using digital devices.

Email:

Children are not given individual email addresses while at Barming Primary School. They will learn about email and in Year 3 use a computer program that is similar to email but is not connected to the Internet at all. 

Internet Use:

For most tasks where children need to go on the internet they will be given a link to click on to a particular site. Some of these links are in our Year Group pages on this website and the children can then access these sites at school and at home. Whenever children are using the Internet at school they are supervised. Older children do learn to use Search Engines as part of their Computing and Online Safety education, but they are directed to particular searches. The school makes use of a very strong filtering system which will not allow access to any social-networking sites and also filters out many inappropriate pages. However, children are taught to close the window and get an adult if they see something on screen that is not what they expected. We have had many assemblies supporting children with this to ensure they stay safe online!

Online Safety:

• Children are given a program of Online Safety (See Our Curriculum Page) throughout the school appropriate to their age;
• Children are always supervised when they are using computers in class and in the Computer suite;
• The school computer system has a filtering service that blocks access to social-networking sites and websites that might have inappropriate content. This will be similar to filtering systems at home that broadband providers offer as ‘parental controls’;
• There are posters throughout the school wherever there are computers which remind children how to use the computers safely and what to do if they did come across something inappropriate;
• There are paper copies of information to help parents with Online Safety in the office reception area at school;
• The links below provide more information from government and other websites to help you and your children find out more about using the Internet safely in school and at home.

	CEOP 'Think U Know'