We are delighted to tell you that we have been awarded the 360 Safe Online Safety Mark. As a school we have reflected on our online safety provision, using a comprehensive matrix to ensure that we are always doing all we can to keep our children and families safe.

An Assessor from the South West Grid for Learning recently visited  Lapal Primary School to review the school’s online safety provision. The Assessor met school staff, parents and carers, Governors and children and was pleased to find that the school provides a high level of protection for users of the new technologies.

The South West Grid for Learning Trust provides a range of online/digital technology services to schools across the UK  and is in the forefront of national and international developments in online safety.  To enhance these services, SWGfL has developed the 360 degree safe self review tool to help schools address online safety issues. The online tool allows schools to evaluate their online safety policy and practice and then suggests how the school might do more to protect young people and staff.

To apply for the 360 degree safe Online Safety Mark, schools have to reach a series of benchmark levels when they complete the online self review. The evidence is then verified by a visit from experienced Assessors.

The prime benefit of using the review and applying for the Online Safety Mark is that it does not focus on the individual aspects of online safety such as technological solutions, but instead it integrates online safety into school policy and the curriculum, challenging teachers and managers in the school to think about their provision and its continual evolution.

Schools are expected to show that they have provided a high standard of online safety education and awareness for all staff, children and also for parents and carers, to ensure that these users of the new technologies can be safe online – whether they are in school, in their homes or out and about using mobile phones or other handheld devices.

Ron Richards, Lead Assessor for the 360 degree safe Online Safety Mark congratulated the school on its success and commented that it was re-assuring to know that the school had put a lot of thought and effort into improving the on-line safety of the staff and young people, by addressing these important safeguarding issues.

We have also been given National Online Safety (NOS) certified school status for the third year in a row, Lapal has been recognised for its commitment to helping pupils stay safe online. We take a whole school approach to keeping children safe when using technology and work hand in hand with families to do so.

You may want to check out the newly updated online safety page on our website by clicking here.