Should the online safety policy be a standalone document or part of the safeguarding policy?

KCSIE permits either approach, but most schools find a standalone online safety policy easier to maintain and easier for parents and staff to navigate. Whichever you choose, the documents must clearly cross-reference each other and not contradict.

How often should the policy be reviewed?

At least annually, and sooner if there is a significant change such as a new platform rollout, a serious incident, or a change in statutory guidance. The review date and review owner should be visible on the front page.

policy guide

Online Safety Policy Template (KCSIE 2025)

A structured outline of every section a modern school online safety policy should cover, from acceptable use to AI tools, mobile phones, and school trips.

Designated Safeguarding Leads and senior leaders drafting or reviewing the school's online safety policy3–5 hours to customise

An online safety policy is the document Ofsted, governors, and parents will look to when something goes wrong. This template sets out the full structure of a defensible, KCSIE 2025-aligned online safety policy. It is deliberately broader than older templates because the scope of online harm has widened: a modern policy must address generative AI tools, harmful sexual behaviour and peer-on-peer abuse online, mobile phones in school, photo and video use, school trips, and the school's filtering and monitoring duties. The template is built as a section-by-section outline with drafting notes, so leaders can customise rather than start from a blank page.

What's included

Acceptable use agreements for staff, pupils, governors, and visitors with age-appropriate versions

Filtering and monitoring section aligned to the DfE filtering and monitoring standards

Peer-on-peer abuse and harmful sexual behaviour section cross-referenced to the safeguarding policy

AI tools section covering generative AI, deepfakes, and acceptable classroom use

Mobile phone policy section covering bans, restricted use, and SEND exceptions

School trips and residentials section covering devices, photography, and social media

Photo and video policy covering consent, retention, and use on school channels

Roles and responsibilities matrix covering governors, headteacher, DSL, IT lead, and all staff

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

School Resource

Online Safety Policy Guide

School Resource

School Smartphone Policy

School Resource

Class WhatsApp Group Policy