Technology is an everyday part of people’s lives and schools are making increasing use of what it can offer to learning. At Wilsthorpe School we have systems in place to make the most of technology, whilst protecting your children. We would strongly encourage all families to enable security settings on home devices to help protect your children online. 

Key Rules

  • Children should ideally only add on social media sites people they know and trust in real life. 
  • Don’t ban children from these sites; they will just use them at friend’s houses or on their phone, personal media player or hand-held games console. 
  • Take an interest and suggest they add you as a friend so you can keep an eye on them when they first join. 
  • Have the main computer in a communal area of the home where there is passive supervision and be reasonable about time online. Talk if you feel it’s getting out of hand (but remember how many hours you spent watching TV when you were their age – the internet is at least active not passive and they can learn a lot from it. 
  • If they have a wireless laptop and you want to stop them going online after a quota of hours is up, unplug the ‘router’ where the phone line comes into the house. 

CEOP

  • The CEOP report button is the online equivalent of dialling 999. 
  • We need to train young people, just like we do with 999, to recognise it and know how to use it if they need to. 
  • Look out for good websites that have the button built in. 
  • Some websites refuse to add the button, so visit direct: www.ceop.police.uk 
  • Find Out More: Visit the CEOP channel on YouTube. 

Online bullying

  • Cyber bullying is the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. 
  • Children can be unkind to each other online. Bullying is not new but the technology has changed making it is easier to track and prove who is responsible. 
  • If you suspect your child is having a problem, the evidence will be on your computer. Inform school and if you wish to inform the Police, keep screen shots, they may wish to see them.
  • For further information, follow this link: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/cyberbullying-advice-parents-and-carers 

Social Media

These checklists provide advice and guidance on how to set privacy settings and other account settings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. - https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/social-media-checklists    

Further support for families

A Parents’ guide to Technology can be found here – https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology 

The following link contains useful advice and support for helping to keep your child safe online: Click here – https://parentzone.org.uk/ 

In addition: 

Mobile Phone Pouches

Following the successful implementation of phone pouches during Summer 2025’s trial period, we are pleased to confirm that, from September 2026, all students in Years 7 to 11 will be issued with a phone pouch.

The trial received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both staff and parents. Many members of our school community have expressed strong support for this initiative, recognising its importance in helping students remain focused during lessons and minimising distractions throughout the school day.

To support the effective implementation of this policy, additional unlocking stations have been installed to ensure students can leave the school site promptly at the end of the day without unnecessary delays.

All students will be expected to:

  • Secure their mobile phones in their phone pouches before arriving on the school site each morning.
  • Present their locked phone pouch to a member of staff at the school gate upon arrival.
  • Keep their phone pouch stored safely in their school bag throughout the school day.

To ensure consistency and accountability, all students will be required to have a phone pouch, regardless of whether they bring a mobile phone to school.

Should a parent or carer need to contact their child during the school day, they should do so via the main reception, and we will ensure that any message is passed on promptly. Likewise, if a student needs to contact home, they should report to Student Reception, where they may use a school telephone or, in exceptional circumstances, have their pouch unlocked to access their phone.

Please be aware that any student found using a mobile phone anywhere on the school site will have their phone confiscated and stored securely until it is collected by a parent or carer from the main reception.

Lost or damaged phone pouches will incur a replacement charge of £10. Students are therefore encouraged to take good care of their pouches, as they form an important part of our commitment to maintaining a focused, respectful, and productive learning environment.