Free internet filtering for students learning remotely

Charitable trust LGfL is offering to filter internet connectivity at home for free for six months so that children can be safe at home whilst learning remotely.
 
This will address one of the key safety concerns for both schools and parents who have expressed concerns about how children can be placed at risk of abuse, or exposed to inappropriate content, whilst using the internet at home - issues that were identified in Hopes and Streams, LGfL’s research into the online behaviour of over 40,000 pupils.
 
LGfL’s offer to filter internet connectivity at home will be available to thousands of schools across the UK, including those connected to LGfL’s broadband services. Tens of thousands of children in a number of schools and Multi Academy Trusts are already benefitting from this service.
 
Commenting on the new service, Louise Pragnell, Head of IT, Learning in Harmony Trust, said: “With safeguarding being at the top of every school's priorities, it was really important to the Trust to be able to extend the protection that internet filtering brings to our learners at home. As always, LGfL has recognised the requirements of schools and has delivered a cost-effective solution to our current challenge. As a G Suite for Education MAT, the set up and configuration couldn't have been easier, giving us peace of mind that we have an effective and well supported system in place.”
 
Concluding, Mark Bentley, Safeguarding and Cybersecurity Manager, LGfL, said: “Even in normal times, schools are acutely aware of the need to help keep students safe online beyond the school gate. Education plays a key role in this, for example through the new statutory subject of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE); but technology has to play a key part too. With Covid restrictions leading to more time online and increased exposure to potential risks, plus the DfE adding new mentions of staying safe online in the home to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, we are keen to make our new home filtering solution available for all schools. That’s why it is available now free of charge to all schools for six months to help them deal with these challenges. Working together we know we can make a difference and protect children from the risks of the online world and benefit from the many opportunities instead.”