E-Safety

As a mathematics and ICT specialist school, we pride ourselves on taking a lead in teaching our students how to use new technology safely. We have therefore appointed a specialist e-safety co-ordinator within the school as well as implementing a number of new initiatives to increase student, parent and staff awareness of issues relating to online safety.

All KS3 and KS4 students will receive a number of lessons this year, as part of the ICT curriculum, about how to stay safe in a digital world. These will be organised around an e-safety topic each term. This year the topics are as follows:

Autumn term – password safety and security
Spring term – online digital images
Summer term – cyber bullying

We have established an e-safety noticeboard in the East Building where students can find information about online safety. We also have a number of leaflets available in school which provide further information for parents and students on specific topics such as social networking and music downloads.

We will be thinking particularly about e-safety during National Anti-Bullying week which this year falls on 16^th-20^th November and is focussing on cyber bullying. We will be holding special assemblies for each year group to discuss this topic and this will also be followed up in tutor time during the week. We will be focussing again on e-safety in February 2010 when we take part in European Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 9^th. This year’s theme is ‘think before you post’.

See the following websites for more information:

We are currently planning a number of workshops for parents which we hope to put on in collaboration with the local primary schools' e-safety co-ordinator. These will be ‘hands on’ workshops to enable parents to become more familiar with some of the websites their children may be using regularly and to gain an understanding of the potential dangers and how to avoid these. Dates will be published on this page as soon as they are finalised, but if you would to be put on the waiting list for a place on one of the workshops, please contact the e-safety co-ordinator.

The school governors have recently approved the new school e-safety policy and this is currently being implemented. A copy of the policy will shortly be available via this website. In the meantime, if you would like more information regarding the policy or any issue relating to e-safety (including advice on how to deal with an e-safety incident) please do not hesitate to contact our e-safety co-ordinator.

For further information on e-safety issues and guidance on how to avoid online dangers or deal with them if they occur can be found on the following websites:

E-Safety Co-Ordinator Contact Details

Mrs Baxter, E-Safety Co-ordinator Mrs Baxter is a teacher of ICT as well as a Head of House and she is therefore experienced in dealing with both the technical and social aspects of e-safety. She can be contacted by email at esafety@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk or by telephone on ext 227.

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

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