Wearside school first in region to gain e-safety award

Kepier academy in Houghton is celebrating being awarded the E-Safety Mark.

Assessors from the South West Grid for Learning recently visited the Dairy Lane school to review the school’s e-safety provision.

They met with school staff, parents, carers, governors and students.

Following their visit the assessors reported some of the school’s strengths, said the leadership team has a shared vision and responsibility for online safety and the pupils should be commended on their maturity and their ability to talk honestly and openly about online safety.

Ron Richards, lead assessor for the 360 degree safe E-Safety Mark congratulated the school on its success and commented 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.

Donna Walker, vice principal at Kepier, said: “We are very proud to have received this award as it demonstrates the school’s commitment to online safety not only from the senior leadership of the school but from the wider staff, parents, students and governors.

“There are clear lines of accountability within the school itself and the very articulate young people know where to turn for support and guidance, as do their parents.

“Parents believe their children are being well cared for and they themselves are confident that they could contact the school and receive appropriate advice in the event of any concerns.”