Online Safety
Online safety has never been more important within the primary curriculum.
Children are engaging with digital devices, online content and connected technologies from an increasingly young age. At Woodstock Primary Academy, we believe that children should be equipped with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to navigate the online world safely, responsibly and positively.
At Woodstock, online safety is taught through both our Computing curriculum and PSHCE as part of our Everyone’s Welcome at Woodstock approach. We view online safety as more than a standalone topic — it is embedded across school life and supports children to become respectful, informed and responsible digital citizens.
Each year group follows a carefully planned online safety curriculum that reflects the opportunities, challenges and risks children may encounter in an increasingly digital world. Through age-appropriate learning, pupils develop understanding and skills in areas including:
· evaluating and questioning information they see online
· recognising trustworthy and untrustworthy content
· understanding privacy, personal information and digital footprints
· identifying online risks and knowing how to seek help and support
· recognising fake profiles, scams and misleading online behaviour
· understanding healthy and respectful online relationships
· managing screen use and developing positive digital habits
· knowing how to report concerns and keep themselves and others safe
Alongside discrete lessons, key online safety messages are reinforced through whole-school assemblies across the year. These assemblies provide opportunities to introduce national campaigns and current themes, revisit important learning and respond to emerging issues that may affect children’s experiences online. Through shared discussions and collective reflection, assemblies help build a consistent culture of digital responsibility across the school community.
Our approach ensures that children revisit and deepen their understanding year on year, enabling them to develop the knowledge and confidence needed to engage safely and successfully in the digital world.
The table below outlines the progression of knowledge and skills taught through our Online Safety curriculum within Computing.
Digital Literacy Progression of Skills
| EYFS | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 | YEAR 5 | YEAR 6 |
|
Recognising that a range of technology is used for different purposes. |
Logging in and out and saving work on their own account. When using the internet to search for images, learning what to do if they come across something online that worries them or makes them feel uncomfortable. Understanding how to interact safely with others online. Recognising how actions on the internet can affect others. Recognising what a digital footprint is and how to be careful about what we post. | Learning how to create a strong password. Understanding how to stay safe when talking to people online and what to do if they see or hear something online that makes them feel upset or uncomfortable. Identifying whether information is safe or unsafe to be shared online. Learning to be respectful of others when sharing online and ask for their permission before sharing content. Learning strategies for checking if something they read online is true. | Recognising that different information is shared online including facts, beliefs and opinions. Learning how to identify reliable information when searching online. Learning how to stay safe on social media. Considering the impact of technology can have on mood. Learning about cyberbullying. Learning that not all emails are genuine, recognising when an email might be fake and what to do about it. | Recognising that information on the internet might not be true or correct and that some sources are more trustworthy than others. Learning to make judgements about the accuracy of online searches. Identifying forms of advertising online. Recognising what appropriate behaviour is when collaborating with others online. Reflecting on the positives and negatives of time spent online. Identifying respectful and disrespectful online behaviour. | Identifying possible dangers online and learning how to stay safe. Evaluating the pros and cons of online communication. Recognising that information on the internet might not be true or correct and learning ways of checking validity. Learning what to do if they experience bullying online. Learning to use an online community safely | Learning about the positive and negative impacts of sharing online. Learning strategies to create a positive online reputation. Understanding the importance of secure passwords and how to create them. Using search engines safely and effectively. Learning strategies to capture evidence of online bullying in order to seek help. Exploring ethical considerations around AI use and its impact on society. |
Useful Links
All the following websites have produced guidance for parents. Please click on one of the links below.
Find useful guides for the most common social media platforms here
How to set Parental Controls for the main Internet Service Providers
Click on the service provider icon (below) to find out more about setting PARENTAL CONTROLS
Advice from the UK Safer Internet Centre on setting up Parental Controls can be found here
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