A reminder of the e-safety related events and activities held throughout the year
As the new academic year begins, many schools will be finalising their calendar to ensure that important dates such as examinations, residential trips and parents evenings are included in the yearly planner.
In addition to these standard dates, schools are also encouraged to look at including awareness days into the school calendar to focus on issues which relate to the social and emotional well-being of children and young people.
In terms of e-safety, the standard days are Safer Internet Day (February) and Anti-Bullying Week (November). However, there are many other occasions in the academic year where schools can promote e-safety related issues. National Hate Crime Awareness Week (October) can highlight ways in which schools can inform students of the legal consequences of promoting race hate on the internet. In addition, Data Protection Day (January) is another occasion to ensure that pupils and parents keep their personal data safe when using the internet.
The benefit for schools in engaging in these days is that the organisations who organise these events often have resources such as lesson plans, so that teachers don’t have to start from scratch when putting together lessons. Also, it is a good way of evidencing ways that you promote e-safety to others e.g. parents which can be included in any self-reviews or information for OFSTED.
In addition, awareness days often generate publicity from local or national media, so stakeholders may be more interested in attending events or receiving literature which relate to them. Also, many organisations offer speakers and who can come into school and offer an additional perspective when talking about these subject areas.
Whilst schools may not be able to cover all awareness days that relate to e-safety, it is important to pick out a couple, and establish them in the school calendar. Here are some suggestions:
January
BETT - 24th - 27th January 2018
Data Protection Day - 28th January
February
Safer Internet Day - 6th February 2018
No Tech for Breck Day - 6th Feb - 17th Feb 2018
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week - 5th - 11th February 2018
March
National Safeguarding Month
National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day - 18th March
April
Childnet Film Competition
May
Mental Health Awareness Week - Date TBC
June
Stop Cyber Bullying Day - 15th June 2018
Stand up to Bullying Day
Child Safety Week
GoGadgetFree/Unplug
July
Stand Up to Bullying Day
World Emoji Day
August
September
Sexual Health Week
Pupil Voice Week
October
Bullying Prevention Month (Cybersmile Foundation)
National Hate Crime Awareness Week
Get Safe Online Week
Digital Citizenship Summit
Digital Kids Show
November
Wear Blue for Bullying Day
Anti-bullying Week
Child Internet Safety Summit
December
If you have an event that you would like to include in this list, please email tina@e-safetysupport.com or use the comments section below.
E-safety Support members can download an e-safety planner from the support and advice area of their dashboard
