Child Protection
Keeping children safe is the highest priority. The Inclusion Manager is a Designated Senior Person for Child Protection, and will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns parents/carers may have about Child Protection issues. This also includes Child Protection Policies and Practice. Contact information may be found on our Contact page.
Our child protection policy outlines our procedures and the designated members of staff involved. To download a copy of this policy, visit our School Policies page.
Safeguarding Information
“Pupils should be taught to … use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable or unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact on the Internet or other online technologies.” – National Curriculum
Digital literacy in the curriculum
The requirements of the National Curriculum are embedded in the Computing curriculum, and in how we measure children’s progress through that curriculum. The progression statements require that a child should:
- …use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.
- …recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
- …know a range of ways to report concerns and inappropriate behaviour.
- …be discerning in evaluating digital content.
And each of these requirements has a measure:
- The child can show that they can think through the consequences of their actions when using digital technology
- The child can identify principles underpinning acceptable use of digital technologies.
- The child knows a range of ways to report concerns and inappropriate behaviour in a variety of contexts.
- The child can form an opinion about the effectiveness of digital content.
How the Internet is not special
The Law applies, as it does everywhere else
The law applies to social media as it does to any speech or publication. The Internet may be present particular problems for policing, but the following areas of law still apply:
- Libel
- Slander
- Defamation
- Discrimination
- Intellectual Property and Copyright
As an example, Trolling on Twitter is an expensive hobby.
Courtesy applies, as it does everywhere else
Common courtesy and social responsibility are intended outcomes of the National Curriculum, just as respect and responsibility are school values.
No-one would want to live with someone who used a gas cooker irresponsibly or in an unsafe manner, or who failed to respect electricity. Outside the house, the roads are made safer for all of us by everyone who drives responsibly, and shows respect for other road users and pedestrians.
We all have a sense of what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour in any conversation or social context. The school has clear expectations of the behaviour of pupils, as parents and carers expect.
Competencies are required, as they are required everywhere else
Every subject area has its own competencies; (its own vocabulary, skills, and knowledge) whether it is reading, or mathematics, or PE, or music.
Digital Literacy requires a set of competencies: there is a special vocabulary for computing, and an area of knowledge to learn; and there are skills to develop – in selecting and evaluating information, for example. But this is a different set of competencies, and not a whole new order of abilities. Reading from newspapers or books requires critical thinking, just as reading material online requires critical thinking. It does not matter where we read that evolution is “just a theory” or that the moon landings were a hoax. Critical thinking should make us reject both statements.
How the Internet is different
Nothing is ‘forgotten’; nothing is truly private
“The internet keeps a record of everything we do online – the photos we upload, the comments other people make about us and things we buy. This is our online reputation. It’s important [to] understand how to manage [our] online reputation and the impacts … of a negative online reputation.” – Internet Matters
Facebook is commonly referred to as “social media” or a “social networking” platform. However, Facebook has a business model which is based on capturing and storing every piece of information every user posts; then processing that data for revenue from commercial companies.
Commercial companies and advertisers are not the only organisations analysing what people post:
“Research shows that 35% of employers use social media to screen potential employees.”– Internet Matters
Everything we do online, including what we post to Facebook or other social media, forms not just our “digital footprint” but what Internet Matters calls our “online reputation”; and having a negative online reputation can have its consequences.
You find what the Internet thinks
Follow our E-Safety links for more advice on how to protect your, and your child’s online reputation
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Parent Info | |
CEOP |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Childnet – Parents and Carers | |
Get Safe Online |
|
Internet Matters | |
Parenting in the Digital Age |
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Safer Internet Centre – Parents | |
Think-You-Know? Parents |
Please be reminded that mobile communications and photographic devices such as mobile phones and smart watches should not be used by visitors and parents whilst on the school premises. This is to safeguard our staff and children.
The safety of our pupils at Knebworth Primary is paramount and we endeavour to take every step we can to ensure our recruitment process matches this.
When a vacancy does open for a position at our school we ensure we follow these guidelines during our advertisement process:
We aim to;
- attract the best possible applicants to vacancies;
- deter prospective applicants who are unsuitable for work with children or young people;
- identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable for work with children and young people.
On receiving applications we consider each one carefully before moving into the short listing phase which will always contain a face to face interview, and a CRB check.
Our Safer Recruitment Policy is available for download on School Policies.
“The school is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.”
In the event of severe weather conditions every attempt will be made to open the school and a decision will be made as early as possible. We will only close the school if the SLT & Governors consider it unsafe to open, taking into account police advice for travel.
Herts County Council has a notification system in place in the event of school closures. Parents and guardians are encouraged to register for this new notification service . The process is very simple and only takes a few minutes, but please follow the instructions carefully: and be strongly advised to select your children’s schools individually. If you select “All Schools”, you will receive alerts from every maintained school in Hertfordshire!
Messages will be posted on the following platforms:
- http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/schlife/schoolclose/
- http://knebworthprimaryschool.org.uk/
- BBC Three Counties Radio 103.8fm/92.1fm/90.4fm/630mw/1161mw.
- Email/text those who have registered for the new notification service will be notified by email/text
The school welcomes visitors, and visits must be arranged in advance with the school office. When visiting the school, please ensure that you sign in at the school office. You will be given a badge, which must be worn visibly throughout your visit. Our staff will challenge anyone they see onsite without identification.
Health and Safety Information
It’s great to see so many of the children riding their bikes and scooters to school. For the safety of everyone on site we ask that the children do not ride their bikes and scooters in the playground. If you would like your child to ride their bike or scooter to school we ask that you complete a Cycle Code of conduct to encourage safety and good practice & ensure we are aware of those on site.
Cycle and Scooter Code: Click here to download
From time to time there will be outbreaks of head lice in school. If it affects your child or their class you will be informed. For guidance on the management of head lice please click on the link below:
We always try to encourage the children to eat healthily & discourage crisps, chocolate and sweets in school. For KS1 children fruit is always available for a break time snack, however if you would like to provide your child with an alternative fruit or a cereal bar (without nuts) please do. Of course to safeguard our children with allergies, nuts or any food containing or described as nuts are not allowed on the premises. We also ask children to leave any uneaten food in their lunch bags so that you know how much they are eating at school.
For Further information, visit the Children’s Food Trust website
We are committed to supporting all of our children and their varied needs.
Only prescribed medication can be administered by school staff & some medications can only be administered following training by The School Health Team. The medication must be in its original container with the child’s name & signed and dated by the medical practitioner. An Administering Medication form should be completed and submitted with the medication to the school office. If your child does have ongoing medication in school please ensure you check the expiry dates regularly and keep us informed of any changes to your child’s health.
Unfortunately, children at our school do occasionally contract head lice or threadworms, impetigo and other childhood illnesses. Please let us know when this happens so that we are aware and can ensure that we are practicing good hygiene. In the case of diarrhoea or vomiting we advise that the child stay away from school for 48 hours after the last onset. If you do have any questions no matter how small please ask Mrs Biddle.
Our children are very concerned when coming to school and witnessing cars parking and reversing on the pavement. The road outside the school is marked with yellow lines to prohibit parking so please adhere to the rules in place for everyone’s safety. You will be asked to move if you park on the yellow lines. We will be keeping in close contact with the local Police and Parking enforcement Officer who visit regularly and asking for their support regarding parking.
For those of you who use the school crossing you will have met our School Crossing patrol Officer Ms Brace. Ms Brace is there in the best interests of you and your children so please adhere to her advice when using the crossing. This year the children in Reception & Nursery will have Road Safety training. This is a Hertfordshire County Council initiative & will be delivered by Hertfordshire County Councils Road Safety Officer. In Year 4 once again the children will be going to the High Street for their Road Safety Training. Our school will be using resources provided by Hertfordshire County Councils’ Road Safety Officer.
The school has been featured on Road Safety GB’s website for the work children have done on road safety. You can read more on Road Safety GB’s website.
We encourage the use of hats and sunscreen in the warmer weather. Long lasting sunscreen is preferred as it can be applied at home in the morning. Alternatively If you would like to send sunscreen in to school for your child please mark it clearly with their name and ask them to give it to their teacher. Sunscreen should be kept in the classroom. For more information please read the following guidelines
Although we have several water fountains around the school the children are encouraged to bring their own drinks bottle to keep in the classroom. Please label them with your child’s name.