E-safety goes to the top of the class in Christ College

Schools across Cheltenham are amongst the first to put put online safety at the top of their agenda as they sign up to hold special assemblies looking at the threat of online activity.  The move is part of an EU wide initiative to keep internet safety in the minds of all parents and children.

So far over 600 children and young people attending Christ College aged 11 - 16 have taken part in special assembly classes provided by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre – the UK’s dedicated police organisation set up to tackle the sexual abuse of children.

Across the UK, the CEOP Centre is asking all primary and secondary schools to introduce internet safety into the classroom through a ‘bite size’ assembly programme.  There are separate assemblies for children aged between 8-10 and 11-16 years old covering a whole range of topics from the opportunities that the online world presents through to some of the risks and how to stay safe.

The 15 minute assemblies are topical, creative and engage children using films and animation – all of which have been provided by the CEOP Centre and designed in consultation with teachers and young people themselves.

"It is vitally important that we do everything we can to equip out young people to deal with their on line world in a safe manor, without stifling their creativity. The sessions that we run here at Christ College go a long way to achieving that aim." - Colin Revell, Head of ICT & Business.

Helen Penn, heads up education at the CEOP Centre and said

“Children and young people are increasingly living their lives online at school and at home.  It is a fantastic tool for them to use but like any world there are risks and our programme is about exploring both the opportunities and risks in a way that children and young people understand and can relate to.

“Schools who are taking part in this are clearly taking online safety seriously and parents can play their part too.  Get to know what your child is doing online – don’t be put off by the technology.  Register for monthly updates from CEOP at www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents which will help you better understand the online world and what you can do to protect your child.”