Internet access will be provided for you to conduct research and communicate with others, but only on the understanding that you agree to follow these guidelines. These guidelines apply to both pupils and staff.
General
- Users are responsible for good behaviour on the Internet just as they are in a classroom or a school corridor. General school rules apply.
- The Internet is provided for users to conduct genuine research and communicate with others. All the sites you visit are recorded. Remember that access is a privilege, not a right and that access requires responsibility at all times.
- Computer (file) storage areas will be treated as school property. ICT staff may look at files and communications to insure that the system is being used responsibly. Users should not expect that their work and emails would always be private.
- You should be aware that a member of the ICT staff can view your computer screen at any time from anywhere on the school network without your knowledge.
- During lessons, teachers will guide pupils toward appropriate materials. Outside of lessons, families bear responsibility for such guidance, as they must also exercise with information sources such as television, telephone, cinema, radio, newspaper, magazine and other potentially offensive media.
The following are not permitted:
- Sending, displaying, accessing or trying to access any obscene or offensive material.
- Using obscene or offensive language. (Remember that you are a representative of your school on a global public system - never swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language. Bad spelling is also a poor reflection on yourself and on the school.)
- Harassing, insulting or attacking others through electronic media, such as Chat Lines.
- Violating copyright laws. (Never copy and make use of any material without giving credit to the author. By itself such work will be of little value as your own work.)
- Revealing any personal information, the home address or personal phone numbers of yourself or other people.
- Downloading games or other executable programs.
- Intentionally wasting limited resources on unnecessary or unauthorised activities.
- Private use of the Internet or email service without advanced permission.
- Use of commercial activities by for-profit institutions.
- Carrying on a private business.
- Undertaking financial transactions on behalf of the school.
- completing any kind of subscription forms.
Check with a member of the ICT department before:
- opening unidentified email attachments.
- completing questionnaires.
Sanctions
- Violations of the above rules may result in a temporary or permanent ban on Internet use.
- Additional disciplinary action may be added in line with existing practice on inappropriate language or behaviour.
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When applicable, police or local authorities may be involved.
Access to the school network will be provided for you to carry out recognised school work only, but only on the understanding that you agree to follow these guidelines. These guidelines apply to both pupils and staff.
Computer (file) storage areas will be treated as school property. ICT staff may look at files and communications to insure that the system is being used responsibly. Users should not expect that their work and emails would always be private. You should also be aware that a member of the ICT staff can view your computer screen at any time from anywhere on the school network without you knowing about it.
- Users are responsible for good behaviour on the network just as they are in a classroom or a school corridor. General school rules apply.
- Eating, drinking, grooming, and the use of aerosol sprays are not considered to be suitable activities in any classroom. Near a computer they may cause serious damage and are strictly prohibited.
- Please do not spend too long sending/receiving email messages - someone else is usually waiting to use the computer. You should not waste valuable resource time sending trivial emails to another person in the school, or to anyone else for that matter.
- work files must be saves to your own folder (Homestudents folder for students and Homestaff folder for staff) and back up copies saved to your own floppy disk in case you accidentally damage them or delete them from the network server.
- If a "virus alert" occurs when transferring work files from a floppy disk please inform a member of the ICT staff immediately.
- Do not use another person's password. If doing shared work you must keep a copy of the work on your own floppy disk in case your partner is absent from school.
- Do not reveal your password to anyone. If you think someone has learned your password then change it immediately.
- Change your password at regular intervals; at least once a term and using a minimum of six characters.
- Do not trespass in others' folders, work or files.
- The unauthorised access or use of personal information, contrary to the provisions of the Data Protection Act, is not permitted. is not permitted.
- Intentional damage to computers, computer systems or computer networks, including unauthorised damage or interference to any files is not permitted and may be considered a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
- Programs must not be installed on a computer except by a qualified technician. Do not bring in programs on a floppy disk or download them from the Internet.
- Games must not be loaded, played or used on any computer unless used for authorised training or teaching purposes.
- The unauthorised copying of software, contrary to the provisions of the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988, is not permitted.
- The installing, copying or transmitting of obscene material is not permitted and may be considered a criminal offence under the Obscene Publications Act 1959/1964.
- Computer equipment should not be taken off-site without formal authorisation.
- A computer should not be switched off during the school day unless it has completely locked up or is unlikely to be used again that day.
- Always make sure that you have completely logged off the computer before leaving it unattended.
- Please leave the computer and the surroundings as you find them.
Sanctions
- Violations of the above rules will result in a temporary or permanent ban on your use of the school network.
- Additional disciplinary action may be added in line with existing practice on inappropriate language or behaviour.
- Serious violations of the above rules will result in a ban on accessing the school network, with parents being informed.
- Very serious or persistent violations will involve a parental interview with the Head teacher.
The "Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988" provides the same rights to authors of computer programs as literary, dramatic and musical authors have to their works. Those rights extend for the life of the author and for fifty years after the author's death.
Software is generally not sold outright to the purchaser. Instead the purchaser is granted the right to use it as laid down in the user license. It is normally expected that only one person at a time will have access to and use the software concerned. A network license may be purchased, normally at a reduced rate, for a defined number of users. A site license may be available to cover all (unlimited) users within the premises.
It is thus illegal to make copies of software without the copyright owner's consent, or to duplicate software loaded on a hard disk for use on any other personal computer unless allowed for under the license.
Anyone convicted of an offence under this act can expect a fine of unlimited amount plus a prison sentence ranging up to a maximum of 2 years.
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The "Obscene Publications Act 1959 and 1964" states that an article
shall be deemed to be obscene if its effect is such as to tend to deprave and
corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to
read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it. It is an offence to publish an obscene article or to have an obscene article
in ownership, possession or control with a view to publishing it or, where the
data is stored electronically, to transmit that data. The "Telecommunications Act 1984" makes it an offence to send 'by
means of a public telecommunications system, a message or other matter that is
grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character' and is an
imprisonable offence with a maximum term of six
months. The "Computer Misuse Act 1990" covers three offences Anyone convicted of an offence under this act can expect a fine of unlimited
amount plus a prison sentence ranging up to a maximum of 5 years.
Anyone suspecting that an offence has been committed should refer the matter
to the Head Teacher. The "Data Protection Act 1984" is
intended to protect the individual from unauthorised use and disclosure of
personal information held on a computer system. It consists of the following
eight principles: Appropriate security measures shall be taken
against unauthorised access to, or alteration, disclosure, accidental loss,
or destruction of personal data
Mobile phones are permitted in school: they remain the responsibility of the individual and the school will accept no claims for theft, loss or damage. They are not an essential item in school, as staff will always facilitate access to a phone in the event of an emergency.
School Policy also discourages students from bringing into school items of significant value – MP3 players, cameras, laptops, etc – unless they are fully insured for use outside the home. This applies equally to mobile phones.
Where phones are brought into school they must be used appropriately: this means that they should be switched off in lessons and not visible, whilst moving between lessons, assemblies, etc.
However, should they be used inappropriately, the consequences will follow sanctions outlined in the Behaviour Code. This may include confiscation until the end of the lesson/day. For persistent offenders, phones will be returned only to parents.
Mobile phones, whilst having clear benefits for personal safety, are also a target for theft and have a nuisance factor in respect of text bullying and taking pictures against the wishes of individuals. These latter behaviours amount to bullying and may lead to exclusion from the school. Should this occur, the above sanctions will be put in place, and the police involved as appropriate.
As in all aspects of school, the use of mobile phones must be respectful of the learning environment: this policy sets out to recognise their value as well as stopping inappropriate usage.
This policy has been drawn up following consultation with staff, students and parents.