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"Castle School Education Trust is committed to high quality education across the primary, secondary and sixth form key stages. Our schools cover the South Gloucestershire area. We encourage independence within each school within a strong framework of values."

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Marlwood School

Online Safety at Marlwood

E-safety is embedded throughout our curriculum in lessons, PSHCE, and assemblies across all year groups. This ensures our students regularly receive up-to-date guidance on navigating the digital world safely, understanding the risks of mobile technology, and using social media responsibly.

We take online security seriously. Our goal is to empower students to use the internet constructively, take advantage of its many benefits, and protect themselves online.

Guidance & Practical Advice for Parents

Keeping up with young people’s online activity can feel challenging. We recommend the following practical steps to help manage internet use at home and protect your child:

  • Discuss Digital Footprints: Remind your child that anything they post, share, or comment on forms a permanent digital footprint that could be viewed by anyone, anywhere, at any time.

  • Agree on Boundaries: Talk openly about appropriate times and duration for using apps, social media, and online gaming. Establishing clear limits helps balance online time with rest and schoolwork.

  • Set Up Home Parental Controls: Take advantage of free parental control filters provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to restrict adult content at the router level. You can also use built-in device controls, such as Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link, to manage app downloads and screen limits.

  • Monitor Gaming & Social Spaces: Remember that online safety extends beyond traditional social networks. Online games and communication platforms (such as Roblox, Fortnite, and Discord) feature live text and voice chat. Check privacy settings on these platforms regularly.

  • Enforce Screen-Free Bedtimes: We strongly recommend that all devices are left downstairs at night to encourage healthy sleep habits. A traditional alarm clock is a great alternative to using a smartphone as a morning alarm.

  • Maintain Open Communication: Encourage a "no-blame" culture at home so your child knows they can come to you if something goes wrong online without fear of losing their device. Remind them that online behaviour should always mirror face-to-face respect.

  • Create an Action Plan: Ensure your child knows what to do, who to tell, and how to report content if they ever encounter inappropriate material, messages, or unwanted contact online.

 

Helpful Resources & External Links

The following independent organisations provide free, practical guidance, step-by-step technical guides, and support for families:

Advice & Technical Guides

  • Internet Matters: Step-by-step guides for setting up parental controls on broadband, games consoles, phones, and specific apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
  • UK Safer Internet Centre: Advice, resources, and practical guides for parents to support safe internet use at home.
  • Childnet International: Practical toolkits, conversation starters, and family agreements for discussing online safety.
  • NSPCC Online Safety: Expert advice on cyberbullying, social media safety, and managing screen time.

Reporting Inappropriate Content or Concerns

  • CEOP (Thinkuknow): The National Crime Agency’s reporting site for concerns regarding inappropriate online contact, grooming, or sexual exploitation.
  • Report Harmful Content: Guidance on how to report and remove harmful, abusive, or illegal content across major social media platforms.
  • Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): The UK portal for anonymously reporting illegal online content.