Ofsted has revealed data from a survey of online safety practice across all HMI-led inspections during March 2015. The survey data was presented at the Child Internet Safety Summit in London.
The data follows on from Ofsted’s landmark ‘The Safe Use of New Technologies’ report published in 2010.
Key findings include:
- Just over a quarter of secondary students lack confidence in their teacher’s knowledge of online safety issues.
- More than 25% of secondary students cannot recall if they have been taught about online safety over the last 12 months.
- 5% of schools do not have an Online Safety policy in place.
- 74% of students were aware that they had an online safety policy.
- A significant majority of schools still do not allow the use of personal devices.
The survey referenced a discussion on online safety issues with senior leaders, staff, governors and staff across 39 primary schools and 45 secondary schools’ inspections.
Assemblies and computing/ICT lessons are the main focus for online safety teaching for many schools, although PSHE lessons play a significant role in the delivery of online safety in some schools.
Staff training is inconsistent, and what senior leaders might see as training is not reflected by staff. Anecdotal feedback suggests that staff development in online safety is often reactive, and “emergency training is delivered if there is an incident”,
Ofsted recently published the changes to inspections from September 2015 with significant provision and consideration for online safety. Further information on the changes and implications can be found at www.swgfl.org.uk/ofsted2015