E-Safety and Internet Filtering

The internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. The Trust has a duty to provide students with quality internet access as part of their learning experience. Internet use is a part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils.

As part of our Computing and Health and Well-being lessons, we teach children to recognise and manage potential online risks. As part of safeguarding our children, we also teach children how to keep themselves safe from sexual exploitation.

The academy’s internet access is designed expressly for pupil use and will include filtering appropriate to the age of pupils. Pupils will be taught what internet use is acceptable and what is not and given clear objectives for internet use. Pupils will be educated in the effective use of the internet in research, including the skills of knowledge location, retrieval and evaluation.

The academy will ensure that the use of internet-derived materials by staff and pupils complies with copyright law. Pupils will be taught to be critically aware of the materials they read and shown how to validate information before accepting its accuracy.

Before your child is given access to our computers and tablets, we require the signed ‘Student Agreement’ and ‘Parent/Carer Agreement’ to be returned to your child’s class teacher. We renew these on an annual basis.

Access to the internet at Avenue Primary Academy, and all sites within Cirrus Primary Academy Trust, is carefully monitored. This is made clear to all users through written statements where access is available, including on information displaying guest wireless access.

Through the computing curriculum, Pupils are taught to be aware of the 4 main risks involved in using the internet, often referred to as the 4C’s: 

Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material 
Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users 
Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm  
Commerce: these are risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising and financial scams.

All pupils learn about the SMART Rules in e-safety lessons from Reception – Year 6.

Generative AI 

All schools follow DfE guidance on the use of Generative AI: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education - GOV.UK Updated 12 August 2025  

Through the computing curriculum, pupils are taught to have a critical mindset. As AI becomes part of everyday life, pupils must understand: 

• - How AI works at a basic level 
• - What AI can and cannot do 
• - How to question AI outputs responsibly 
• - How to use AI ethically and safely 

Critical thinking helps pupils: 

• - Question whether an AI answer is trustworthy 
• - Check evidence and compare sources 
• - Spot inconsistencies or missing context 
• - Recognise when AI is presenting a narrow or biased viewpoint 

Pupils are taught about artificial intelligence at an age-appropriate level. This includes a balance between the positive impact of AI, as well as the challenges and risks it presents. 

Staff receive training on the safe and effective use of AI in schools. The Safeguarding team also receive regular training and updates on the specific safeguarding risks related to generative AI. 

 Click here for our statement regarding Internet filtering