January 2021
Dear Parent/Carer and Student
Introduction of SIMS Student – Website/App
Following the successful introduction of SIMS Parent, we are now ready to launch SIMS Student to further our communication with students as well as their families. SIMS Student is the student version of SIMS Parent, which will allow students to access the same information as their parents/carers. It includes the following:
Calendar SIMS Options Attendance
Conduct – achievements and behaviour
Homework Timetable Reports
SIMS Student will also further strengthen our communication with students during remote learning; they will be able to view details of the tasks set in Google Classroom and details of Google Meets that they need to attend. In addition to being able to access the homework section in SIMS Student, students will also receive an email from the system regarding these tasks.
Launching SIMS Student
We were due to launch SIMS Student in school this January. SIMS Student is accessed electronically, so we are still able to go ahead with the launch; however, as students are now learning remotely, we have had to change the way in which this will be shared with them. For this reason we would appreciate the support of parents/carers to ensure that their child activates their account.
During the morning of Thursday 14 January, activation emails will be sent out to all students (years 7-11). These emails will be sent to students’ alf.education email addresses, the school email account that they are using to access remote learning currently. Prior to sending the activation emails, we will be emailing students with guidance on how to activate their account and we will also send links to access support videos.
Please can we ask that all students take the time to activate their SIMS Student account, following the guidance closely. This is especially important for students in years 8, 9 and 10 as they will need their SIMS Student account to select their option choices over the next few weeks.
Students who are in school through our critical worker and vulnerable provision can activate their account when they are in school if they wish to or they can do this when they are at home.
Students – Activating your SIMS Student Account
Once the emails are sent out to you, please take a few moments to activate your account. It is a process that shouldn’t take very long. Please note, the invitation to activate email is an automated email from noreply@sims.co.uk and these can sometimes go to the junk/spam email box instead of the inbox. In the email you will see a green ‘accept invitation’ button, please click on this button and then follow the steps below:
1. Click on the Google (G) icon to sign in with Google
2. Enter your alf.education email address (this is the one you use for RM unify and Google Classroom)
If you are already logged into your alf.education account on the device you are using then you can select your account from the list of accounts and this will skip step 3 below.
3. This will take you to the RM unify log in screen, enter your email address and password 4. Click Register
5. Enter your date of birth (this is for verification purposes) 6. Click Verify
This will then create your account and log you in for the first time.
Please note, students must use their school Google alf.education account to activate their SIMS Student account. Students must not use Twitter, Facebook or any other email account.
ICT policy for students
We have updated the Aylsham Learning Federation ICT code of conduct policy for students/pupils/children to include SIMS Student. A copy of this policy has been included with this letter and is also available on the school website on the policies page and also on the SIMS student page, https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahssimsstudent, under the students tab.
When students activate their SIMS Student account we are assuming that they are consenting to the updated section in the policy regarding SIMS Student. We would normally ask students to re-sign their journal with a member of staff in school but we are currently not in a position for students to do this due to the school closure. If students have any questions or concerns regarding the policy, they can email simsstudent@alf.education to discuss this further.
Accessing SIMS Student
Once students have activated their account, they can access SIMS Student via a website or an app. This means that your child will be able to access their own information via a smartphone, tablet or computer.
The website is accessible through a link on the school’s website in the quicklinks or https://www.sims-student.co.uk/.
The SIMS Student app can be downloaded for free from either the Apple app store or the Google Play store on a smartphone or tablet. Please search for SIMS Student and then download the app onto your device. SIMS Student supports Android version 6 and above, and iOS version 11 and above.
SIMS Student videos
We have made a series of videos available on Google Drive to students, and on the school’s YouTube channel for parents/carers. These cover each aspect of the system in order to support students with accessing the information being shared with them and to offer guidance on how to activate their account. There is one full video which explains all of the areas of SIMS Student and then smaller videos which explain each area individually.
Students can access the Google Drive folder under Shared Drives, Student Resources, SIMS Student
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-exLCEA0Lqw2dkkP8WKF99djDchdWdA_
Families and students are also able to access the videos on the school’s YouTube channel
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNlZSdInn8IRrbjJ-8m0yfRNMaBHu9nb2
How students can get help with SIMS Student
If students require help with SIMS Student they can email simsstudent@alf.education for support. We would ask that students email for support directly please, rather than their parent/carer contacting the school on their behalf. Mrs Cooke, our data manager, will be able to support the students who require assistance with their account. Mrs Cooke will work through the emails that we receive in order to support the students, but please be aware that if we receive a large volume of emails, we will need to prioritise supporting students in years 8-10 as these students require use of their accounts from Wednesday 20 January in order to choose their options by February half term.
We hope that students find accessing their SIMS Student account useful. Yours sincerely
Mr C Bridge
Reference No: JT/ICT Code of Conduct Students/Pupils
/04 Page 1 of 4
AYLSHAM LEARNING FEDERATION
ICT CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY
(STUDENTS/PUPILS/CHILDREN)
Policy Reference: JT/ICT Code of Conduct
Students/Pupils
Review Frequency: 1 Year
Issue Number: 04 (23.06.2020) Next Review Date: 23.06.2021
Author: J Tuttle
Ratified by the Governors’ Curriculum, Assessment and Achievement Committee on:
23.06.2020
Signed:
Chair This policy was revised 13.01.2021 to include SIMS Student
COMPUTING FACILITIES
Students/pupils/children are encouraged to make use of each school’s/setting’s computing facilities for educational purposes and are expected to act responsibly and to show consideration to others.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology that can be used to store, transmit or manipulate data, such as SMART phones, laptops, i-pads and USB media, should be used responsibly and in accordance with this ICT code of conduct, even when not used with each school’s/setting’s equipment. Phones are not allowed in school at Bure Valley School or John of Gaunt Infant and Nursery School or John Bear’s Nursery.
ACCOUNT SECURITY (AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL, BURE VALLEY SCHOOL)
Students/pupils are responsible for the protection of their own school computer accounts and should not give their passwords to anybody.
Users should not logon to or use any account other than their own and should logoff when leaving a workstation, even for just a short period of time.
USE OF FACILITIES
Whilst each school/setting wants to encourage sensible use of new technologies it is not acceptable to:
Attempt to download, store or install software to school computers.
Attempt to introduce a virus or malicious code to the network.
Reference No: JT/ICT Code of Conduct Students/Pupils
/04 Page 2 of 4
Attempt to access another user's account.
Attempt to gain access to an unauthorised area or system.
Attempt to use any form of hacking/cracking software or system.
Connect any device to the network that has access to the internet via a connection not provided by the school.
Physically damage or vandalise any computer equipment.
Access, download, create, store or transmit material that; is indecent or obscene, could cause annoyance or offence or anxiety to others, infringes copyright or is unlawful, brings the name of the Federation in to disrepute.
Engage in activities that waste technical support time and resources. PRIVACY AND E-SAFETY
Students/pupils/children are expected to act safely online by not publishing personal information about themselves or other students/pupils/children. Students/pupils/children must not give out their family name, password, username, email address, home address, school name, city, county or other information that could help someone contact or locate them in person unless they already know that person other than through an online contact.
It is not acceptable to engage in any behaviour that is upsetting or threatening to another user. Any form of online bullying will be dealt with in line with each school’s/setting anti-bullying policy and normal disciplinary procedures.
Students/pupils/children should be aware that each school has a right to access personal areas on the network. Privacy will be respected unless there is reason to believe that the ICT code of conduct or each school’s/setting’s guidelines are not being followed.
INTERNET ACCESS
Each school’s/setting’s internet service is filtered to prevent access to inappropriate content and to maintain the integrity of the computer systems. Users should be aware that the Federation logs all internet use.
Users should not attempt to use proxy servers to bypass the grid filter system.
Users should ensure that they are not breaking copyright restrictions when copying and using material from the internet.
SCHOOL GOOGLE EMAIL ACCOUNTS (AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL AND BURE VALLEY SCHOOL)
Automated software scans all email and removes content that could compromise the integrity of the computer systems or contain unsuitable/offensive content.
If a user receives an email from an unknown person or that is offensive or upsetting, an appropriate member of staff should be contacted. Do not delete the email in question until the matter has been investigated.
Sending or forwarding chain emails is not acceptable.
Sending or forwarding emails to a large number of recipients is acceptable only for a good reason.
Do not open attachments from senders you do not recognise, or that look suspicious.
Reference No: JT/ICT Code of Conduct Students/Pupils
/04 Page 3 of 4
Students/pupils should use their Google email account for school work rather than another provider.
Students/pupils should use their school Google email account to access online learning including, Google Classroom and related platforms.
INSTANT MESSAGING/SOCIAL NETWORKING (AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL)
Students are not allowed to use social network facilities during lessons, unless the teacher for that lesson has permitted its use.
If a user receives a message which is offensive or upsetting, an appropriate staff member should be contacted. Copy and save the message or use the IM archive feature to save the message until the matter has been investigated.
Never accept files or downloads from people you do not know, or that look suspicious.
Do not use a screen-name that is offensive, or gives away additional personal information.
Do not add unnecessary personal information to your profile or account details.
The use of video and voice facilities on mobile devices should be used with care. Never upload voice or video without the permission of those appearing in the video or sound file.
In order to stay safe when using public IM or social networking systems (such as MSN/Snapchat/Instagram and Facebook) outside school you should additionally:
Only communicate with people on your contact list.
Do not accept requests to join your contact list from people you do not already know.
Do not add or allow your profile, screen-name or contact information to be shown in online public directories.
Abide by the provider regulations such as the age restrictions if applicable (eg 13 is the age for being able to have a Facebook account)
BLOGS and WIKIS (AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL)
The use of blogs and wikis is encouraged if used sensibly.
Students are not allowed to use blogs or wikis in lessons, unless the teacher for that lesson has permitted its use.
Students must agree to not share their user name or password. You agree to never login as another student.
Students using school blogs are expected to treat blog spaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog.
Users are expected to conduct themselves as representatives of the school. They must not post comments that are defamatory about the school, staff or students.
If a user receives a message from an unknown person, or which is offensive or upsetting, an appropriate staff member should be contacted.
Users must respect other user’s work and opinions and not maliciously edit any group or individual work. Any user who feels this has taken place should leave the work as it is and contact a relevant member staff.
Reference No: JT/ICT Code of Conduct Students/Pupils
/04 Page 4 of 4
PRIVATELY OWNED COMPUTERS AND DEVICES (AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL)
The school encourages the use of personal laptops, tablets and other wireless enabled portable devices and when given permsission, smart phones. Students can access the secure school wi-fi through their normal login and password.
The school cannot take any responsibility for the safe working, repair or security of personal devices whilst on or in transit to and from the school premises.
Please note that privately owned devices should only be used with the wireless network and under no circumstances should privately owned devices be physically plugged into the school network connection points.
SIMS STUDENT (AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL)
Students can access SIMS Student on both the school computers and also their own personal devices. It is assumed that when using school owned or privately owned devices that students will follow the previously stated guidance when using SIMS Student.
In addition, students must:
Activate their SIMS Student account using their school Google email account.
Keep their login details secure and do not share them.
Ensure that they log out of their account, especially when using a school computer.
Notify the school should they have any issues with their account or any of the information they can access.
Only use SIMS Student for its intended purpose.
Not log into any other student’s SIMS Student account.
Follow the guidance within this policy for school Google email accounts when emailing simsstudent@alf.education
Students can download the SIMS Student app from the app store on their device. They must ensure that when doing so they use a WiFi connection to avoid using mobile data.
Students can print information from SIMS Student such as their school reports, documents being shared with them as part of homework tasks.
If students have any questions or concerns, they must speak to the school. They can email simsstudent@alf.education for assistance with their account.
If you would like to discuss any issues relating to the Federation’s ICT code of conduct policy or the wireless network please contact:
Mrs Kathryn Garnham - Aylsham High School Mr Jamie Olney - Bure Valley School
Mrs Clare Toplis – John of Gaunt Infant and Nursery School John Bear’s Nursery
