This article is based on the DfE's guidance on filtering and monitoring and advice from Tom Newton, Katherine Howard and Luke Godfrey from Smoothwall, and Sian Stockham (King Ecgbert School) and Gareth Harle from Mercia Learning Trust.
4 things you need to do to have effective filtering and monitoring
Appropriate filtering and monitoring is a requirement set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). Get an overview of filtering and monitoring in our QuickRead.
You need to:
- Identify and assign roles and responsibilities to manage filtering and monitoring systems
- Review filtering and monitoring provision at least annually
- Block harmful and inappropriate content without unreasonably impacting teaching and learning
- Have effective monitoring strategies in place that meet your safeguarding needs
This is set out in paragraph 142 of KCSIE. This article will take you through each of the 4 areas below.
Don't leave filtering and monitoring up to your IT department