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Filtering and monitoring: toolkit and resources

Get a rundown on how to make sure filtering and monitoring in your school is top notch. Download our templates and resources to support you to review what you have, and to make sure any new providers are up to scratch.

Last reviewed on 15 July 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 46764
Contents
  1. 4 things you need to do to have effective filtering and monitoring
  2. Identify and assign roles and responsibilities
  3. Review your filtering and monitoring provision at least annually
  4. Your filtering system should block harmful and inappropriate content
  5. Select an effective monitoring strategy that meets your school’s safeguarding needs
  6. Choose a new provider with confidence

This article is based on the DfE's guidance on filtering and monitoring as well as advice from Luke Godfrey and Tom Newton (Smoothwall), Gareth Harle (Mercia Learning Trust), Kat Howard (Windsor Academy Trust) and Sian Stockham (King Ecgbert School).

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 2025. This article will take you through each of the 4 areas.

If you