Hedgewood School
Computing and Online Safety
E-Safety & Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
At Hedgewood School we want all our students to access ICT and equipment safely. We have a whole school approach to e-safety and the safe use of all technology that allows our students to use equipment and access the internet in a way that is appropriate to them. We want our students to enjoy all the benefits that technology can bring and where possible start to learn some basic skills to keep themselves safe. The technology they can use and the skills they can learn will hopefully bring them pleasure and independence throughout their life.
ICT Curriculum
Teaching and Learning at Hedgewood centres on preparing pupils for life beyond the classroom; by supplying them with appropriate skills to make choices and take more control over their lives.
Our pupils are living in a world where technology is continually developing, and they are exposed to a range of software and equipment at school, within the home as well as out in the community. Within a safe learning environment, our pupils are exposed to a range of technology. First steps in teaching ICT may include encountering and engaging with technology and starting to understand cause and effect.
This can enable simple choice making and expression of preferences. Pupils can then move towards interacting with and controlling technology for learning and pleasure. Sharing, turn taking, learning to wait and social interaction are key elements of our ICT curriculum.
At Hedgewood we adapt technology to individual’s needs in order that all pupils can join in and enjoy shared activities regardless of their physical, social, emotional or communication difficulties. Relevant experiences are provided inside and outside of the classroom and pupils are supported to transfer their skills into their wider life and community.
Keeping safe
At Hedgewood we encourage and enable all students from a young age to learn and practice good habits when using technology.
At home as at school our children and young people love to access technology whether it is iPads, phones, TV or whizzy toys. We want them to have access to the internet but it is sometimes difficult to know how to keep them safe. Our children and young people do not always have the skills to ‘self-regulate’ how they use technology / internet services and therefore are never left unsupervised at school.
We recommend that this video would be good practice for Hedgewood Pupils at home as well, please click on the link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLWH2KzIVDk
Here are some useful links to websites that help parents and carers keep children, young people and the family safe.
A useful tool showing how to set parental controls across a range of devices and websites.
https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls
Provides reviews and guidance on the most popular social networks, apps and game that children use
Online safety tips, advice and resources
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk
If you are worried about the way someone has been communicating with your child online.
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
https://www.apple.com/uk/families/
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
https://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/internet/broadband/stay-safe-with-bt-parental-controls