PUPILS at a Petersfield school have been given an important lesson in internet safety by one of the world’s biggest firms.
Staff from Google caught the information highway to Herne Junior School to promote the ‘Be Internet Legends’ programme.
The programme, which is aimed at children aged seven to 11, encourages users to be internet sharp, alert, secure, kind and brave.
They are taught about the importance of online privacy and security, checking the validity of websites, to think before sharing content and to respect other users.
The company was persuaded to bring its presentation to Herne Junior School after getting in touch with Damian Hinds, the MP for East Hampshire and secretary of education.
The MP was also took part in a question-and-answer session during the assembly with the presentation impressing Herne Junior School headteacher Tony Markham. He said: “The assembly which Google put on was all about children being wise to use of the internet.
“It was really well presented by Google and they rolled out a bit of everything in a very professional way.”
The special visitors also chatted to members of the school’s Computer Club and provided teachers with free training resources during last week’s visit.
The event also gave Mr Markham a good chance to talk about funding with Mr Hinds as the headteacher is part of grass-roots campaign to secure more cash for Hampshire schools.
The county’s schools are among the worst funded in the country with their real- term budget being cut by eight per cent since 2010.
Mr Markham, who heads a group representing all the county’s primary school headteachers, recently marched on parliament in protest with several counterparts before presenting a petition to Downing Street.
He said: “I think Mr Hinds understands the challenge for schools, going into as many schools as he does. We just need to have a better national funding formula.”