Acceptable Use Policy - Staff

(1)

___________________________________________________________________________________ Staff Handbook A14a April 2013

Acceptable Use Policy - Staff

'Acceptable and Responsible Use of ICT Resources'

This version was last modified APRIL 2013 by European Electronique IT Support

1. The benefits of Internet access for education

Most curricula at European level require students to demonstrate that they can effectively locate, retrieve and exchange information using ICT. Access to the Internet offers both students and staff vast, diverse, and unique resources. The Internet opens up opportunities to initiate cultural

exchanges between students from all over the world, while at the same time providing access to educational, social and leisure resources.

The main reason that we provide Internet access to our staff and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. However, for both students and staff, Internet & email access at school are privileges and not entitlements.

a. Teachers are responsible for guiding students in their on-line activities, by providing clear objectives for Internet use

b. Teaching staff will also ensure that students comply with this Acceptable Use Policy by reminding them of what is regarded as acceptable and responsible use of the Internet

c. The use of games as a reward is strictly prohibited

d. Teachers must seek permission from the ICT technical manager before allowing the use of educational games. The use of such games must be a integral part of

departments schemes of work

The main goal is to utilise Internet access to enrich and extend those learning activities that reflect the curriculum requirements and the age and maturity of the students.

All Internet access is filtered through a proxy server to screen out undesirable sites at source. 2. Whole-school network security strategies

The school’s computer network security systems are reviewed regularly (quarterly by the IT

Technical Manager). The school will regularly (as required by the IT Technical Manager) check user files, temporary Internet files, history files and internet access logs.

Uploading and downloading of non-approved software is strictly forbidden. Any evidence of unauthorized software being used on school equipment will be reported. If software is needed it must come through your department head to the IT support team for review before any purchase.

All access to the school network requires entry of a recognised User ID and password. Each

account’s information is private and must not be shared. Doing so bypasses any such security and opens the system to abuse.

All staff must lock their machines when they are not in front of them or leave them

unattended. They must also log out after every session. Students must not use a staff members account.

Any Internet access, electronic mail, or other abuse/action taken under a staff account is solely their responsibility, so care as above must be taken at all times as they themselves will be held fully liable. Virus protection software is installed and updated regularly.

(2)

3. Regulation and guidelines

The school’s Internet access incorporates a software filtering system to block certain chat rooms, newsgroups, and inappropriate websites. The filtering system used on the school network aims to achieve the following:

Access to inappropriate sites is blocked.

The content of web pages or web searches is dynamically filtered for unsuitable words.

A rating system is used to rate web pages for inappropriate content and that the web browsers are set to reject these pages.

Records of banned Internet sites visited by students and teachers are logged.

Accessing a site denied by the filtering system will result in a report being generated and sent to the school's ICT Technical Manager for appropriate action.

The school will immediately report the details of any inappropriate illegal Internet material found. Similarly, the school will request that 'allow' access be granted for certain banned sites and provide the educational reasons behind the request.

4. Email accounts

Students shall immediately report any offensive emails that they receive to the teacher leading the session.

Access in school to external, Web-based, personal email accounts (e.g. hotmail ) is denied for network security reasons for all students.

It is forbidden to distribute chain letters or to forward a message without the prior permission of the sender.

Students and staff must read their emails regularly and remove superfluous emails from the server. Students and staff may not send spam messages unless they are required to do so as part of project work. Spam messages include virus warnings, chain letters or special offers.

Students may 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.

(3)

5. The school’s website

The IT Director manages all aspects of placing web pages on the school's website. He has full editorial responsibility and ensures that the content on the site is accurate and appropriate. The website will comply with the Education Authority's guidelines.

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.

The contact details for the school will include only the school's postal address, e-mail address and telephone number. No information about teachers' home addresses or the like will be published. The school will not publish any material produced by students without the agreed permission of their parents. In addition, photographs of students will not be published without a parent or carer’s written permission. A student’s full name will not be used in association with photographs.

6. Moderated mailing lists, newsgroups and chat rooms

(4)

7. Sanctions

Teachers should note that the following abuses of the school network represent gross misconduct and will lead to disciplinary action and possible dismissal:

a. Allowing any other person to use or access their personal account (including students) b. The inappropriate display of data of any teacher, student or staff member which breaches

the requirements of the data protection act c. Installation of any software

d. Inappropriate internet access e. Damage to IT equipment

Teachers should deal with inappropriate or off-task use of computer resources with normal

classroom sanctions. Access to certain websites can be granted or restricted by means of classroom management software where available.

(5)

I have read and understood the terms of the school’s AUP and agree to abide by them (please tick if you agree)

NAME: Date

Signed: