The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to, this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.
It is envisaged that the AUP may be revised/amended from time to time.
School’s Strategy
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:
1. General:
Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher and pupils Internet usage will be closely monitored.
Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to eliminate, as far as possible, the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
The use of personal USB keys/CD – Roms in school requires a teacher’s permission.
Students will observe good “netiquette” (ie. etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
2. Email
Students will use approved class email accounts only under the supervision of or by permission of a teacher.
Sending and receiving email attachments is subject to the permission of a teacher.
Students are not permitted to send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
Students may not reveal their own or other people’s personal details eg. address, phone number or photograph.
It is forbidden for students to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through email or the Internet.
3. World Wide Web
Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
4. School Website
Pupils may be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the school website. Class teachers will be responsible for ensuring that the content of the pupils’ work is accurate and the quality of presentation is maintained.
The publication of students’ work will be sanctioned and overseen by a teacher and/or the IT co-ordinator.
Pupils’ work may appear in an educational context on the school website.
From time to time group photographs of pupils may be published. At no time will any personal information or individual photographs of children appear on the school website without the explicit permission of parents/guardians.
Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.
5. Internet Chat
Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.
Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat is forbidden.
Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
Staff Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Members of staff are encouraged to use various resources in their teaching and learning activities, to conduct research, and for contact with others.
The use of email for personal use is acceptable outside of teaching hours only.
When using the Internet, all users must comply with all copyright, libel, fraud, discrimination and obscenity laws.
All users are expected to communicate in a professional manner.
It will not be usual to read staff emails but the school reserves the right to do so in the case of a suspected breach of these policy guidelines.
No person will in any way alter the filtering preferences.
