What does this policy cover?

Network security

Internet access

E-mail access

Codes of practice for pupils and staff

Maintaining the school website/ Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Developing awareness of the need to use mobile technology safely

What does this policy cover?

FARNHAM COMMON INFANT SCHOOL

 

E-SAFETY POLICY

 

  

This policy covers issues of security and safety relating to the following aspects of ICT:

 

·        Network security

 

·        Internet access

 

·        E-mail access

 

·        Pupils’ Internet Code of Practice

 

·        Teachers’ Internet Code of Practice

 

·        Maintaining the school website and /or Virtual learning Environment (VLE)

 

·        Developing a child’s understanding of how to use mobile technology safely

 

 

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Network security

 

 

 

Internet access  

·         The school will supervise pupils and will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate material .The use of the Internet is an important part of learning and communication and this brings pupils into contact with a wider range of information, which may - or may not – be appropriate for the pupil.  Any unsuitable material should be reported immediately to the Internet Service Provider via the ICT co-ordinator.

 

·        The school will review and improve systems for pupil protection annually.

 

·        The school will only use an educational ISP, which includes a filtering system

 

·        Pupils will be told that their use of the Internet is supervised and monitored

 

·        The ICT co-ordinator will keep up to date with LEA security strategies

 

 

ICT system integrity and security  

Only the ICT co-ordinator should make minor changes or modifications to hardware, network wiring and software configurations. More complex changes should only be made by an approved LEA ICT technician.

 

 

·        External sources of hardware e.g. laptops and software can only be used with the permission of the school.  Software etc provided by pupils will not be used in school – unless the software is deemed new and unused.

 

·        Anti-virus strategy is vital to all ICT systems.  All users need to be aware of virus sources and risks.

 

·        Only power surge sockets should be used with the ICT equipment for protection.

 

 

Troubleshooting procedures

·        Staff should alert the ICT co-ordinator regarding problems with hardware and/ or software

 

·        ICT co-ordinator will contact RM Support line re problems and log problem / solution etc

 

·        Office to contact IT Unit relating to administration ICT

Hardware maintenance and replacement

 

·        All ICT equipment and the relevant serial numbers to be recorded in school inventory

 

·        ICT co-ordinator has overall responsibility for maintaining and replacing equipment.  Additional advice will be sought from LEA ICT advisor or technician. 

 

 

Legal duties and responsibilities

·        All schools must be registered with the Data protection Commissioner’s office to process personal data

 

·        All individuals have a right of access to personal data belonging to them

 

·        ICT co-ordinator is responsible for storing software licences for information and for identifying software designated for specific computers or software with a site licence

 

·        This policy should be brought to the attention of the Headteacher, governors, all teaching staff and support staff.  A copy of this policy should also be available to parents via the school website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Internet access

·        The school will only use a filtered educational Internet service as it’s provider.

 

·        Virus protection software should be installed on all computers by the ICT co-ordinator or approved LEA ICT technician.

 

·        The use of on-line resources by pupils should always be supervised.  Pupils should never be left alone in the classroom when connected to the internet.

 

·        All staff should be familiar with the Pupils’ Netsmart Code of Practice (copies should be placed in a visible position for users of the Internet ).  All teachers and non-teaching staff are required to sign the Teachers’ Code of Practice, as well as any parent helpers who will work with pupils on the Internet.

 

·        Any member of staff who uses the Internet inappropriately will be reported to the Headteacher.

 

·        Any pupils who deliberately misuse the Internet will be reported to the Headteacher and their access to the Internet will be suspended.

 

·        Their parents/ carers will be notified of the nature of the misuse.

 

·        All Internet activity should be appropriate to staff professional activity or pupils’ education.  Personal use is at the discretion of the school.

 

·        E-safety advice for parents can be accessed through appropriate website links on the school website.

 

 

 

 

 

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E-mail access

·        Appropriate language should be used for all on-line communication.

 

·        E-mail should not be used to create, use, transmit or encourage material which is ~  pornographic, inappropriate or unsuitable

 

         ~  illegal, obscene or libellous

 

         ~  offensive or annoying

 

         ~  defamatory

 

         ~  violates another person’s privacy

 

·        E-mail should not be used for gambling, advertising or soliciting for personal gain or profit

 

·        Adult users are responsible for all e-mails sent and for contacts made that may result in e-mails being received.  No pupil will be permitted to send/receive unsupervised e-mails. 

 

·        Staff will ensure that pupils never divulge any personal details.

 

·        Posting anonymous messages and forwarding chain letters is forbidden

 

·        Users should not transmit any material in violation of any British laws. e.g. the Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act and Design Copyright and patents Act.  This includes, but is not limited to, copyright material, threatening or obscene material, sensitive personal data, confidential information

 

·        Users cannot use e-mail for product advertisement, commercial activities or political campaigning unless authorised to do so by the school

 

·        School resources should not be wasted by indiscriminate use of e-mail

 

·        The school should not be committed to purchasing or acquiring goods without proper authorisation

 

·        Uses should log off properly after use to ensure that other users do not have unauthorised access

 

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Codes of practice for pupils and staff

 Pupils’ Internet Code of Practice  - see Appendix 1

 

The school policy is that all Year 2 parents must sign the Pupils’ Netsmart Code of Practice on behalf of their son/ daughter after discussing the issues first. Only children who have returned this form will be permitted to use the Internet in school.  A copy of this code is placed on all classroom computers with Internet access.

 

 

5.  Teachers’ Internet Code of Practice  - see Appendix 2

 

All teaching and non-teaching staff are required to sign this code of practice and this policy extends to any parent helper/ volunteer who is likely to work with pupils on the Internet.  A copy of this code must be displayed in all classrooms with Internet access.

 

 

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Maintaining the school website/ Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Maintaining the school website / a Virtual learning Environment (VLE)

 

The following protocol should be followed :

 

·        All links ( including those to external sites) should be fully tested and working and should be tested to ensure that no unsuitable material can be accessed.

 

·        Any e-mail links should be cleared with the persons involved and written permission given.

 

·        All articles, pictures or icons which are from a ‘non-school’ source must have copyright clearance in writing

 

·        Photographs of children which could be mis-used should not be put on web pages.  Suitable photographs include distant shots, blurred shots and back views.  No photographs should be included without the permission of the Headteacher/ Deputy Headteacher .

 

·        Pages created should be of high quality without spelling/ syntax errors or errors of fact

 

·        All pages must be seen by either the Headteacher , the Deputy Headteacher or the ICT co-ordinator prior to publication on the school website or the school’s VLE

 

·        The school website should include a contact title ( eg. the Headteacher) and address for the school .

 

·        Users should not use the school’s website or VLE for product advertisement, commercial activities or political campaigning

 

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Developing awareness of the need to use mobile technology safely

Children are more vulnerable and may expose themselves to risk, whether knowingly or unknowingly, when using the internet and other technologies such as mobile phones, games consoles with internet and Wi-Fi access.  This risk includes ‘cyberbullying’ and obtaining access to inappropriate material online. 

 

Control measures in Farnham Common  Infant School

to reduce the risks to pupils:

 

·        The school will only use a filtered educational Internet service as it’s provider.

 

·        Pupils will be told that their use of the Internet is supervised and monitored

 

·        Discussing the Pupils Code of Conduct in class and giving age appropriate explanations

 

·        No mobile phone use by pupils in school

 

·        Adult users are responsible for all e-mails sent and for contacts made that may result in e-mails being received.  No pupil will be permitted to send/receive unsupervised e-mails. 

 

·        Staff will ensure that pupils never divulge any personal details.

 

·        Chat rooms or social networking sites are inappropriate for the age of our pupils and consequently, access is denied

 

·        Any internet inks to other schools must be set up by the teacher, with the prior agreement of the Headteacher, and any contact must be closely supervised.

 

·        Any concerns by a member of staff about an individual pupil which arise, following a discussion or comment, should be reported to the Headteacher immediately

 

 

 

What we should discuss with our pupils:

 

 

·        Discuss stranger danger and bullying issues and relating them to the use of the internet or mobile phone – personal information and photographs should never be divulged

 

·        What to do or who to speak to if they see or receive something that makes them sad or embarrassed 

 

·        To continue to use their understanding of right and wrong online – appropriate language etc. 

 

·        How to search the internet for information safely and effectively 

 

·        What will happen if they misuse the internet 

 

·        Extend this discussion to promote e-safety when using mobile technology opportunities outside the school environment – mobile phones, Wi-Fi computers and games consoles. 

 

  

  

C. A. Staynor                                                                   April 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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