Internet Acceptable Use Policy
The aim of this policy 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 Therefore, if the school AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions, as outlined in this policy, will be imposed.
It is envisaged the policy will be renewed annually and any parental comments are welcome. Before signing the AUP, it should be read carefully. This policy was created on 1st October 2007 by the school principal.
School 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 follow:
General:
- Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
- Filtering software and/or equivalent will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to in appropriate material.
- The school will regularly monitor pupils' internet usage.
- 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 floppy disks, memory disks, CD-ROMs, or other digital storage media in school will require a teacher's permission.
- Students will treat others with respect at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
World Wide Web:
- Pupils will use the internet for educational purposes only.
- Pupils will not intentionally visit sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
- Pupils will report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials to the class teacher immediately.
- Pupils will not copy information into assignments and fail to acknowledge the source (plagiarism and copyright infringement).
- Downloading by students of materials or images not relevant to their studies is in direct breach of the acceptable use policy.
- Pupils 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.
E-mail:
- Pupils will use approved class e-mails under supervision or with permission from a teacher.
- Pupils will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, and defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
- Pupils will not reveal their own or other people's personal details, such as addresses, photographs or telephone numbers.
- Pupils will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through e-mails or the internet.
- Pupils will note sending and receiving e-mail attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.
Internet Chat:
- Pupils will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums, messaging or other electronic communication fora 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 will be forbidden.
School Website:
- In the future pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the Internet on the school website. The publication of work will be under the supervision of a teacher.
- The website will be checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of students or staff.
- Website using facilities such as guest books, notice boards or web logs will be checked frequently, if available, to ensure that they do not contain personal details.
- The school will endeavour to use digital photographs, audio or video clips focused on group activities. Individuals will not be highlighted without parental permission.
- Personal details and information will be omitted from school website pages.
- The school website will avoid using the first names and surnames of individuals in a photograph.
- The school will ensure that all images are appropriately named.
- Students will continue to own copyright on any work published
Personal Devices:
Pupils using their own technology in school such as having a mobile phone in school to take pictures or send nuisance text messages are in direct breach of the school's acceptable use policy.
Sanctions:
Misuse of the internet or breach of this acceptable use policy may result in disciplinary action which may include written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and in extreme cases suspension or expulsion. The school reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
Support Structures:
The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the internet.
Legislation:
Parents should familiarise themselves with the following legislation which deals with the use of the internet:
Data Protection (Amendment ) Act 2003, Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, Interception Act 1993, video Recordings Act 1989, The Data Protection Act 1998