Dear Parent /Carer

In recent months we have noticed an increase in the amount of inappropriate use of mobile phones and social media. 

We have had several cases of students sending indecent images of themselves or others around. Whilst we have addressed these issues with individual students, through curriculum time and in assemblies we continue to deal with matters of this nature.

In addition the rapid development of, and widespread access to, technology has provided a new medium for ‘virtual’ bullying, which can occur in or outside school. Cyber-bullying is a different form of bullying and can happen at all times of the day, with a potentially bigger audience, and more accessories as people forward on content at a click.  Some students have become adept at ‘tagging’ others in conversations and inviting them to comment on issues that do not involve them and whilst most of this takes place outside school and is out of our control, it is often school that are left to deal with it.

The students have been informed through assemblies and we state in our anti-bullying policy that under the Malicious Communication Act 1988, it is an offence for a person to send an electronic communication to another person with the intent to cause distress or anxiety or to send an electronic communication which conveys a message which is indecent or grossly offensive, a threat, or information which is false and known or believed to be false by the “sender.”  We have and will seek assistance from the police if school staff feel that an offence may have been committed.

It is neither possible nor desirable to stop students using Facebook and Twitter, or from having mobile phones with internet access, but we ask for your continued support as parents to set boundaries and monitor usage of the internet.  Recent news coverage about the 17 year old Youth Police and Crime Commissioner being forced to resign her position over inappropriate comments made on social networking sites provides a timely reminder of how these things can affect job prospects if brought to light by future employers. 

1. this E-Safety link for further information to be found on our website about online safety advice which has been compiled mainly from using information from the 'Thinkuknow' website.  It is an excellent site and we would recommend that you visit the site (www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents) and view the videoclips that are referred to in the booklet.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to secure the best possible outcomes for your son or daughter.

Yours Faithfully

Mrs R Kelly, Deputy Headteacher