BEMERTON ST John Primary School has been recognised for its commitment to teaching pupils how to be safe online by becoming the first school in Wiltshire to be awarded an E-safety mark.

The 360 Degree E-Safety Mark was awarded after assessors from the South West Grid for Learning Trust visited the school to review its e-safety provision for users of new technologies.

Headteacher Alun Richards said: "This is a wonderful achievement by the children and staff at the school. It ensures we are continuing to make the children safe within the school and teach them an important life skill of being safe while on the internet."

The South West Grid for Learning Trust provides the internet connection and a range of other services to schools across the South West and is at the forefront of developments in e-safety.

It has developed a tool to help schools address e-safety issues and an online tool allows schools to evaluate their e-safety policy and practice and then suggests how the school might do more to protect young people, the community and staff.

To apply for the 360 Degree Safe e-Safety mark, schools have to reach a series of benchmark levels when they complete the online self review, which is then verified by assessors.

Schools are expected to show that they have provided a high standard of e-safety education and awareness for all staff, students and also for parents and carers, to ensure that these users of the new technologies can be safe online – whether they are in school, in their homes or out and about using mobile phones or other handheld devices.

Following their visit the assessors said: “Bemerton St John School demonstrates good leadership through the designated e-safety co-ordinator — this ensures the children are well supported in their understanding of e-safety matters. There is a commitment to e-safety from the senior leadership team, governors, staff and members of the school community.

"The governing body are kept informed of developments and have been involved in the development of policy. Pupils are well versed in the rules that keep them safe when using the technology at school and are able discuss with parents at home."

Lead assessor Ron Richards, added that it was re-assuring to know that the school had put a lot of thought and effort into improving the on-line safety of the staff and young people, by addressing these important safeguarding issues.