Free Online Safety Policy Templates for Schools

Please note: The policy templates have been updated in September 2024. Please see details below

Online Safety (E-Safety) Policy for Schools - updated September 2024

Our School Online Safety Policy Templates have been adopted by local authorities, schools and academies across the UK, and are acknowledged as good practice documents.

The SWGfL school Online Safety policy templates help schools to address a wide range of online safety policy issues without having to start with a blank page.

The templates include guidance, key elements to include, and also the flexibility to adapt, allowing a school to create an online safety policy that is relevant to their school.

Updates - September 2024 - the main policy template document has been updated in response to the guidance in the DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education and the updated DfE Technical Standards for Schools and Colleges as follows.

Schools are recommended to review the new templates and update their own policies as relevant.

Schools using the 360safe online safety self review tool should note that the equivalent aspects in the tool have also been updated.

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Developed by our Online Safety Experts

Acknowledged as best practice by the local authorities, schools and academies that have adopted them

Flexible Approach

Our templates provide guidance, an indication of what should be included and a flexible approach allowing each school or organisation to challenge, consider and debate

Covers all areas of Online Safety

Includes an overall Online Safety Policy and a series of appendices with more detailed template policies and forms

Online Safety Policy Templates Downloads

The latest versions have been updated in September 2024 following review and support by Online Safety professionals. The templates take account of updated statutory guidance e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 and DfE Technical Standards for Schools and Colleges. They provide guidance, an indication of what should be included and a flexible approach allowing each school or organisation to challenge, consider and debate. The result will be your very own Online Safety Policy that whilst built on foundation blocks, includes content that makes it unique and relevant for your school.

The SWGfL Template Policies consist of an overall Online Safety Policy and a series of appendices with more detailed template policies and forms. They are available with or without the appendices attached and are in MS Word and pdf formats. They can also be found embedded in the links and resources section of the 360 degree safe online safety self-review tool.

Download the Online Safety Policy Templates

A) Online Safety Policy Templates (MS Word) 1 without appendices

Main School Online Safety Policy Templates (MS Word version) without appendices

A) Online Safety Policy Templates (MS Word) 2 with appendices

Full set of School Online Safety Policy Templates (MS Word version) with appendices

A) Online Safety Policy Templates (PDF) 1 without appendices

Main School Online Safety Policy Templates (PDF version) without appendices

A) Online Safety Policy Templates (PDF) 2 with appendices

Full set of School Online Safety Policy Templates (PDF version) with appendices

Appendix - A1 - Learner AUA - older children - KS3-5

Learner Acceptable Use Agreement Template – for older students / pupils

Appendix - A2 - Learner AUA - KS2

Learner Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Template – for KS2 - new September 2022

Appendix - A3 - Learner AUA - younger children Foundation / KS1

Learner Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Template – for younger pupils (Foundation / KS1)

Appendix - A4 - Parent Carer Acceptable Use Agreement template

This Acceptable Use Policy is intended to ensure that technology users will be responsible, stay safe, and parents/carers are aware of risks

Appendix - A5 - Staff & Volunteer Acceptable Use Agreement

Staff (and Volunteer) Acceptable Use Agreement Template

Appendix - A6 - Community User Acceptable Use Agreement template

Acceptable Use Agreement is intended to ensure that community users will be responsible, that devices and users are protected from misuse and that users are protected from potential risk

Appendix - A7 - Online Safety Group Terms of Reference

To provide a consultative group that has wide representation from your organisation's community, with responsibility for issues regarding online safety and the monitoring the online safety policy including the impact of initiatives

Appendix - A8 - Harmful Sexual Behaviour Policy Template

New September 2022 - Harmful Sexual Behaviour Policy Template - re updated Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance

Appendix A9 - Computer Misuse and Cyber Choices Policy Template

Appendix - AA10 - Responding to incidents of misuse - flow chart

A flowchart for responding to online safety incidents

Appendix - AA11 - Recording form for reviewing devices & sites

A form to record incidents of device or website misuse

Appendix - AA12 - Reporting Log

A form for logging online safety incidents

Appendix - B1 - Training Needs Audit Log

A template for auditing and logging training needs

Appendix - C1 - Technical Security Policy Template

School Technical Security Policy Template (including filtering and passwords)

Appendix - C2 - Personal Data Advice and Guidance

Advice and guidance for schools and academies to handle and manage personal data within the organisation

Appendix - C3 - Electronic Devices - Searching & Deletion Policy

Updated September 2022 - following the updated DfE July 2022 guidance

Appendix - C4 - Mobile Technologies (inc BYOD) Policy

The mobile technologies policy should sit alongside a range of polices including but not limited to the Safeguarding Policy, Bullying Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, policies around theft or malicious damage and the Behaviour Policy

Appendix - C5 - Social Media Policy Template

There are some risks associated with social media use, especially around the issues of safeguarding, bullying and personal reputation. This policy aims to encourage the safe use of social media by the school, its staff, parents, carers and children

Appendix - X1 - Legislation

A description of the legislative framework under which this Online Safety Policy template and guidance has been produced

Appendix - X2 - Links to other organisations

Links may help those who are developing or reviewing a school online safety policy

School Online Safety Policy Templates