All Saints Catholic School in Dagenham has been awarded a National Online Safety accreditation for its commitment to helping pupils stay safe online.

The school completed a comprehensive online safety education programme that included providing training and resources for staff, young people and parents, to demonstrate its commitment to keeping children safe online.

Staff rose to the challenge of teaching pupils how to keep themselves safe and behave appropriately online as the nation turned to remote learning during lockdowns, reinforcing this with praise and reward for those who demonstrated exceptional effort and behaviour while working online.

“Technology has enabled us all to stay in touch and keep learning and working through the lockdowns, but it’s crucial we know how to use it safely."

Parents are well supported by the school, too, regularly receiving regular communications and guidance to help them keep themselves and their children safe online.

Headteacher, Clare Cantle, said: “This recognition is an excellent testament to our staff.

“Our pastoral staff maintained a superb level of care for our pupils during the lockdown, and our teaching and learning team trained our families and us to ensure the school worked exceptionally well remotely.

“Those who needed help at a trying time were supported by our ICT team, who reached out and prepared software and hardware for them.

“Our PSHE lessons have also given pupils more know-how in terms of being safe online, and our social media is a way we can let parents know just what it is they need to be aware of to make the internet a safer place for their children.”

The school’s use of social media has been instrumental throughout the pandemic, helping them maintain a community feel during lockdowns and keeping up communication with families.

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “Technology has enabled us all to stay in touch and keep learning and working through the lockdowns, but it’s crucial we know how to use it safely.

“I am so pleased to see All Saints Catholic School’s great work and commitment recognised with a National Online Safety Accreditation.

“Well done to everyone involved.”