Governance Conversation on Online Safety, RSHE and Data Protection with an introduction about the Norfolk Flourish Outcomes
2nd February 2023
Thank you for joining our first Governance Conversation of 2023, it was as ever great to see so many governors and we hope that those that attended enjoyed the event and have taken something back to their boards. As ever, we looked at the national picture but within a Norfolk context. We looked at three areas, Online Safety, RSHE and Data Protection, on this page we are sharing the information that we spoke about in the event, including the slides, important links and the recorded event.
Flourishing in Norfolk – Matthew Reading
We opened the event with a special introduction to the Norfolk Flourish Strategy and NGN certainly agrees with Matthew that our shared ambition for Norfolk is that it is a county where children and young people can FLOURISH.
- Family and friends
- Access to learning
- The opportunity to lead a good life
- Being understood
- Building resilience
- Respect for their individuality
- Feeling safe
- Being healthy
We encourage all schools and organisations to join NGN in making a pledge that supports the Flourish outcomes – find out more about how your school can make a pledge and therefore make a difference to children and young people in Norfolk.
Online Safety – Jill Duman
Online safety is a core part of safeguarding, the four areas of risk for online safety are within Keeping Children Safe in Education, Jill Duman shared what governors need to know and the questions they should ask to ensure that online safety is part of a whole school approach of safeguarding.
Jill shared some questions for the Governing Board including:
- Staff training – How do you ensure that all staff receive appropriate, relevant and regularly updated online safety training?
- Support and Reporting mechanisms – What mechanisms does the school/college have in place to support pupils/students, staff and parents facing online safety issues?
- Policies and procedures – Does the school/ college have an up to date online safety policy and acceptable use policies in place? – key to note – does your policy include the 4 C’s – content, conduct, commerce and contact? if not it is out of date.
Norfolk Governance Network is supporting Safer Internet Day 2023 – UK Safer Internet Centre which is on 7th February 2023 with the theme “Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.” Online safety is within Keeping Children Safe in Education and with Jill’s oversight, we have developed a new Governance Theme page to support governors and signpost to key information.
Jill is holding an Online Safety Governor Session – virtual on 15th May 2023 14:00 – 16:00 – more info.
RSHE – Alice Ndiaye
Alice provided an introduction to governors about relationships, sex and health education and explained why it is sometimes RSHE, RHSE or RSE. It is a legal requirement to teach relationships education and health education in KS1 & 2 and relationships and sex education and health education in KS3 & 4. the composite parts are written. The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk) statutory guidance explains what needs to be delivered it is important to note that there are significant overlaps with safeguarding.
Questions to raise:
- How do we link RSHE to vision and strategy?
- Have we developed a bespoke RSHE policy?
- Are we engaging stakeholders and how is this shaping our provision?
- How are we using RSHE to keep pupils safe?
- Are we investing in resources and CPD; what difference is this making?
- Are we evaluating the impact of RSHE education; what are we doing as a result?
Data Protection, UK GDPR and Cyber Security – James England
James is a Chair of Governors and also the director at Data Protection Education. James provided governors with recent updates including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill; why it is now UK GDPR and not just GDPR and what is happening with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office). James explained what the cyber in cyber security really means and how important it is for schools to be aware of the importance of having good systems in place.
A vital takeaway as well from James for governors in particular – Don’t use personal emails! for governance correspondence, it is a data protection risk, information security risk and also a corporate governance risk.
NGN-02-02-23Upcoming events
On the 8th June 2023 we welcome Marc Rowland to a very special online event, A Norfolk Conversation on tackling disadvantage. For more information and to reserve your free place – visit our dedicated page.
