Strengthening Online Safety at Manor Drive Primary Academy

Manor Drive Primary Academy is committed to creating a safe, empowering, and digitally confident environment for every child. As part of this commitment, our E‑Safety Lead recently attended a high‑impact Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session delivered by Cambridgeshire County Council, focused on strengthening online‑safety policy, staff practice, and whole‑school culture.

This training attended by safeguarding leads across the county, provided timely updates, practical strategies, and clear guidance aligned with national expectations, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the UKCIS Education for a Connected World framework.

Key Themes from the CPD

Online Safety Trends — Emerging risks such as AI‑generated content, online challenges, and new social‑media behaviours were explored, helping us anticipate and respond to the evolving digital landscape.
Policy Strengthening — The session emphasised the importance of clear, regularly reviewed policies that reflect current technologies and children’s lived experiences online.
Curriculum Integration — Practical ways to embed digital citizenship across subjects, ensuring online safety is not a one‑off lesson but a continuous thread throughout the curriculum.
Staff Confidence — Guidance on supporting all staff to recognise risks, respond appropriately, and model safe online behaviour.
Working with Families — Strategies for strengthening home–school partnerships, including workshops, newsletters, and shared resources.