Schools back crusade against web perverts

Schools are joining the crackdown on calculating perverts who use Internet chatrooms to groom unsuspecting youngsters.

Last night North Kesteven School in North Hykeham staged a safety awareness session in conjunction with Lincolnshire Police.

And others schools and social agencies are giving families advice for safe surfing, after becoming increasing concerned about Internet abuse.

Martin Connor, head of North Kesteven School, said the evening was prompted by growing awareness of the paedophile menace.

"The issue chimes in with the Government's Every Child Matters agenda and National Curriculum requirements to teach safety within personal, social, health and economic education," said Mr Connor.
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Many schools are wising up over Internet protection and advising children and parents accordingly.

Steve Davies, spokesman for the Priory Federation of Academies, said students were encouraged to be highly IT literate and firewalls had been set up to screen out inappropriate material.

"We approach this issue carefully and subtly," Mr Davies said.

"Internet safety is addressed in IT lessons but we are also conscious that sometimes raising awareness of paedophile danger can contribute to its spread."

Jane Rylands-Bolton, assistant head at Lincoln Christ's Hospital School, said every student and staff member was required to sign a contract agreeing to acceptable use of IT and safety issues were included in the IT curriculum.

"Anything which enhances student safety should be encouraged and to invite a police officer in is something we may consider," she said.

This is Lincolnshire