Contact: Susan Seale
The Internet Acceptable Use Policy
(for parents and children)
This policy is made available via the school website, is provided to all parents (current and prospective) in the office, is provided to all Governors in the Governors' handbook, is provided to all staff in the Staff Handbook and is kept in the Library.
Finton House School’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) refers to creating “a safe computer environment” with all aspects of modern technology used throughout the school. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that children and staff are educated about “the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using Information Technology.” All teachers, pupils, and parents are expected to play a part in ensuring this policy works well in practice.
Please liaise with Susan Seale, Computing Teacher, if you have any questions, comments or feedback.
Acceptable and Responsible Use of computing Resources
Contents
The benefits of Internet access for education
Whole-school network security strategies / Risk assessments and management of internet content
Email accounts The school’s website Use of social media
1 THE BENEFITS OF INTERNET ACCESS FOR EDUCATION
The main reason that we provide internet access to our teachers and children is to promote educational excellence by allowing innovation, resource sharing and communication. However, for both children and all staff, internet access at school is a privilege and not an entitlement.
The Computing curriculum followed at Finton House requires children to demonstrate that they can effectively locate, retrieve and exchange information using technology. Access to the internet offers both children and teachers a vast range of diverse and unique resources.
The internet contains a wide range of material that is inappropriate for children. Finton House actively takes all reasonable precautions to restrict children’s access to both undesirable and illegal material.
2 WHOLE-SCHOOL NETWORK SECURITY STRATEGIES
The school’s computer network security systems and virus protection software are reviewed and updated regularly by Finton House School’s computer maintenance provider: Elmbrook Computer Services.
Finton has invested in the following hardware and software infrastructures to reduce risks associated with the internet.
A hardware firewall (Cisco business class firewall)
Content and website filtering software. (Currently ‘Websense’.From September 2012 ‘Untangle’)
Client server network – providing secure access to the school network, and subsequently to the internet.
Elmbrook regularly check user files, temporary internet files and history files. Uploading and downloading of non-approved application software is denied. Unapproved software and executable files cannot be stored in the pupil storage areas. The school’s internet access incorporates a software filtering system to block chat rooms, newsgroups, and inappropriate websites. The filtering system used on the school network aims to achieve the following:
The blocking of access to inappropriate sites.
to 'allow' access to certain banned sites, on provision of the educational reasons for the request.
Finton House uses encryption to protect VPN, passwords and back-ups, thus ensuring data is not easily accessible.
Teachers are responsible for guiding children in their on-line activities, by providing clear objectives for internet use, monitoring their work and ensuring that children are aware of what is regarded as acceptable and responsible use of the internet. Children should only be allowed to access websites from search engines and particular websites which have been previewed and approved by their teacher. The use of search engines is permitted only when a teacher or member of staff is present. Child friendly search engines, for example google.co.uk can filter most websites with inappropriate content and will be used as a first option.
In the classroom, computers/laptops are positioned in such a way that monitors are easily observed by teachers.
3 MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET CONTENT
The school takes all reasonable precautions to ensure that children access appropriate material only. However, it is not possible to guarantee that a child will never come across unsuitable material while using a school networked computer. The school cannot accept liability if such material is accessed, or for any consequences resulting from internet access.
Children in the Upper School will be taught the risks to which they may be exposed while on the Internet. If children come across inappropriate material they should switch off the computer screen and report the incident to the nearest teacher who will deal with it according to the school’s code of conduct. E-safety lessons form part of the Computing curriculum, highlighting safety on the Internet. Resources include: ”Smart Rules” via Childnet International’s website.
4 EMAIL ACCOUNTS
All children and staff are provided with a school email account from Year 3 upwards. Each year group will have specific email privileges as follows:
1. Y3 + Y4 - only send/receive to/from …..@fintonhouse.org.uk when in the school 2. Y5 - only send/receive to/from …..@fintonhouse.org.uk from anywhere
3. Y6 - internal/external emails can be sent and received
Children should immediately report any offensive emails that they receive to the Computer teacher or to their class teacher.
Access in school to external, web-based, personal email accounts is filtered for security reasons.
It is forbidden to distribute chain letters or to forward a message without the prior permission of the sender.
Children should not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or arrange to meet someone outside school via the school network.
If children wish to send an attachment, they will be taught to and should notify the recipient of this in the body of the email.
5 THE SCHOOL’S WEBSITE
An editorial team manages all aspects of placing web pages on the school's website. This team has full editorial responsibility and ensures that the content on the site is accurate and appropriate. The website complies with the Education Authority's guidelines - Wandsworth E-safety Policy.
The copyright of all material produced by the school for display on the school’s web pages belongs to the school. Permission to reproduce any other material will be sought and obtained, from the copyright owner.
6 USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOBILE DEVICES Pupils
It is not expected that any Finton House pupil will have access to social media without parental supervision, because all such websites are for those over thirteen years old.
Only Year 6 pupils are allowed to bring mobile phones to and from school and these must be handed into the Office at the beginning of the school day. The Internet capability should be switched off. Failure to follow this guidance may result in a ban for the pupil carrying a mobile phone to school.
Guidance for Pupils
No pupil at Finton House should be accessing social networking applications. (This is the guidance from both Facebook and MSN.)
No pupil should attempt to join a staff member’s areas on networking sites. If pupils attempt to do this, the member of staff should inform the Head. Parents will be informed.
Any attempts to breach firewalls will result in a ban from using school computing equipment other than with close supervision.
Any improper contact or bullying should be reported immediately to the class teacher.
The School has a zero tolerance to bullying whether at home or at school. Parents
The School expects that any parent interacting with the school via social media will exercise their right to freedom of expression with due consideration for the rights of others and in accordance with these terms of use:
Social networking applications
Should not be used to publish any content which may result in actions for defamation, discrimination, breaches of copyright, data protection or other claim for damages. This includes but is not limited to material of an illegal, sexual or offensive nature that may bring the school into disrepute.
Should not be used in an abusive or hateful manner
Should not breach the school’s equal opportunities or bullying policies
Should not be used to discuss or advise any matters relating to school matters, staff, pupils or parents
Mobile Devices
Parents are requested to respect the principle that the School does not support the use of mobile devices around the building during school hours by refraining from excessive usage in School.
School
7 MODERATED MAILING LISTS, NEWSGROUPS AND CHAT ROOMS Pupils
Teachers will moderate other collaboration tools such as newsgroups and chat rooms if used on the school network for learning purposes.
Children will be denied access to public or un-moderated chat rooms.
Only regulated educational chat environments shall be used. They will always be used under supervision. Safety is the major consideration.
Only newsgroups that have educational goals and content will be made available to children.
School
The school may use an email distribution list to send messages to selected groups. 8 COMMUNICATING THE SCHOOL’S AUP
Informing parents and children
“Smart Rules” posters will be displayed in the Computer room. Children will be given instructions on safe and responsible use of the Internet by the Computer teacher. Parents’ attention will be drawn to the School AUP by letter and on the school’s website. Parents will also be kept up to date with advice relating to safe internet use at home.
Informing staff about the school’s AUP
All staff will be provided with a copy of the School’s AUP. Teachers are aware that Internet traffic can be monitored and traced to an individual user. Staff will be consulted regularly about the development of the school’s AUP and instructions on safe and responsible Internet. Teachers will also sign a copy of the Computing Code of Conduct.
To avoid misunderstandings teachers will contact the Computer teacher regarding any doubts that arise concerning the legitimacy of any given instance of Internet use. Teachers will be provided with information on copyright issues that apply to Internet use in schools.