Acceptable Use Policy

 

 

Manager: Julia Sandiford-Mitchell                                          

Reviewed: September 2021 

Approved By Governors: Sep 2021 

Next Review: June 2024

 

Statement of Intent and General Policy

This policy covers the acceptable use of IT by staff, volunteers and pupils and is to be read in conjunction with the GDPR Policy and the Schools Information and Security Handbook.
 

New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both within schools and in their lives outside school. The internet and other digital information and communications technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and stimulate awareness of context to promote effective learning. They also bring opportunities for staff to be more creative and productive in their work.  All users should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times. 

 

Objectives

 

This Acceptable Use Policy is intended to ensure:

  • That staff and volunteers will be responsible users and stay safe while using the internet and other communications technologies for educational, personal and recreational use.
  • That school ICT systems and users are protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users at risk. 
  • That staff are protected from potential risk in their use of ICT in their everyday work.

 

The school will try to ensure that staff and volunteers will have good access to ICT to enhance their work, to enhance learning opportunities for students / pupils learning and will, in return, expect staff and volunteers to agree to be responsible users.

 

Use of Mobile Phones and Smart Technology in School

 

As a school we recognise that mobile phones and smart technology, like watches, are now part of everyday life. It is fully recognised that imposing rigid regulations on the actions of others can be counterproductive. An agreement of trust is therefore promoted regarding the carrying and use of mobile phones and wearable technologies within school, which is agreed to by all users.

 

In terms of phones and wearable technologies the following rules are in place:

 

  • Staff are not permitted to make/receive calls/texts during contact time with children.
  • Emergency contact should be made via the school office
  • Staff working in remote areas such as the woodland can carry a mobile phone for emergency use only.
  • Staff should have their phones on silent or switched off and out of sight (e.g. in a drawer, staffroom or bag) during class time.
  • Smartwatches should be on silent and not used for personal reasons during class time.
  • Mobile phones should not be used in a space where children are present (e.g. classroom, corridor, playground). Use of phones (including receiving/sending texts, emails and using social media) should be limited to non-contact time when no children are present e.g. in office areas, staff room, empty classrooms.
  • Staff must security protect access to their phone.
  • Should there be exceptional circumstances (e.g. acutely sick relative), then staff should make the Headteacher and office staff aware of this so messages can be relayed promptly.
  • Staff are not at any time permitted to use recording equipment on their mobile phones, for example: to take recordings of children, or sharing images. Legitimate recordings and photographs should be captured using school equipment such as iPads.
  • Staff should report any usage of mobile devices that causes them concern to the Headteacher.

 

We recognise that some job roles necessitate the use of a mobile phone in school such as the site supervisor or business manager and that mobile phones provide a useful means of communication for certain activities. However, staff should ensure that mobile use on these occasions is appropriate and professional and only used where absolutely necessary for example speaking with a help desk or contractor when resolving an issue.

 

  • Mobile phones should not be used to make contact with parents during school trips – all relevant communications should be made via the School Office or via a school loan phone
  • Where parents are accompanying trips they are informed not to make contact with other parents (via calls, text, email or social networking) during the trip or use their phone to take photographs of children.
  • Personal phone numbers should not be given to parents under any circumstances.

 

Acceptable Use Policy Agreement

 

  • I understand that I must use school ICT systems in a responsible way, to ensure that there is no risk to my safety or to the safety and security of the ICT systems and other users.
  • I will adhere to the rules concerning the use of mobile phones and wearable technologies at all times
  • I recognise the value of the use of ICT for enhancing learning and will ensure that students / pupils receive opportunities to gain from the use of ICT.
  • I will, where possible, educate the young people in my care in the safe use of ICT and embed e-safety in my work with young people. 

For my professional and personal safety:

  • I understand that the school will monitor my use of the ICT systems, email and other digital communications.
  •  I understand that the rules set out in this agreement also apply to use of school ICT systems (eg laptops, email, VLE, VPN etc) out of school.  
  • I understand that the school ICT systems are primarily intended for educational use and will not disclose my username or password to anyone else, nor will I try to use any other person’s username and password
  •  I will immediately report any illegal, inappropriate or harmful material or incident, I become aware of, to the appropriate person.   
  • I will be professional in my communications and actions when using school ICT systems:  I will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without their express permission.
  •  I will communicate with others in a professional manner, I will not use aggressive or inappropriate language and I appreciate that others may have different opinions. 
  • I will ensure that when I take and / or publish images of others I will do so with their permission. 
  • I will not use my personal equipment to record these images. Where these images are published (e.g. on the school website) it will not be possible to identify by name, or other personal information, those who are featured. 
  •  I will not use chat and social networking sites in school for personal use.
  • I will not use personal equipment in school unless I have read the Bring Your Own Device Guidance and I will only use such equipment in an appropriate manner on school premises.

Information shared should never compromise the school’s duty to provide the highest possible standard of education or bring the school’s reputation into distribute.

 

  • Staff who have genuine concerns about any school matter should follow school current guidelines and policies e.g. whistle-blowing to resolve issues and not networking sites.
  • Staff should report all contacts through networking sites which may concern them to the Headteacher. Examples may include: child below 13 on Facebook requesting to be a friend or inappropriate comments by a parent directed to themselves. 
  • I will only communicate with students / pupils and parents / carers using official school systems. Any such communication will be professional in tone and manner.
  • I will not engage in any on-line activity that may compromise my professional responsibilities.
  • The school and the local authority have the responsibility to provide safe and secure access to technologies and ensure the smooth running of the school: Where permission needs to be sought please see the Headteacher.
  • When I use my personal hand held / external devices (PDAs / laptops / mobile phones / USB devices, tablets etc) in school, I will follow the rules set out in this agreement, in the same way as if I was using school equipment In line with the GDPR Data Protection Policy. I will not use personal email addresses on the school ICT systems for pupils’ personal data.
  • I will not open any attachments to emails, unless the source is known and trusted, due to the risk of the attachment containing viruses or other harmful programmes. 
  •  I will ensure to the best of my ability that my data is regularly backed up, in accordance with relevant school policies. 
  • I will not upload, download or access any materials which are illegal (child sexual abuse images, criminally racist material, adult pornography covered by the Obscene Publications Act) or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to others. Be it on a school device or a personal device which is used in school.
  • I will not use any programmes or software that might allow me to bypass the filtering / security systems in place to prevent access to such materials.
  • I will not try (unless I have permission) to make large downloads or uploads that might take up internet capacity and prevent other users from being able to carry out their work. 
  • I will not install or attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine, or store programmes on a computer, nor will I try to alter computer settings, unless this is allowed in school policies. 
  •  I will not disable or cause any damage to school equipment, or the equipment belonging to others.    
  •  I will only transport, hold, disclose or share personal information about myself or others, as outlined in the School / LA Personal Data Policy. 
  •  I understand that the GDPR policy requires that any staff or student / pupil data to which I have access, will be kept private and confidential, except when it is deemed necessary that I am required by law or by school policy to disclose such information to an appropriate authority. 
  • I will immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened.

 

 

When using the internet in my professional capacity or for school sanctioned personal use:

  • I will ensure that I have permission to use the original work of others in my own work
  • Where work is protected by copyright, I will not download or distribute copies (including music and videos).
  • I understand that I am responsible for my actions in and out of school:

I understand that this Acceptable Use Policy applies not only to my work and use of school ICT equipment in school, but also applies to my use of school ICT systems and equipment out of school and my use of personal equipment in school or in situations related to my employment by the school.

 

I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, I could be subject to disciplinary action.  This could include a warning, a suspension, referral to Governors and / or the Local Authority and in the event of illegal activities the involvement of the police.  

 

Once you have read this policy please sign the document in the school office to confirm that you have read and understood the above and agree to use the school ICT systems (both in and out of school) and my own devices (in school and when carrying out communications related to the school) within these guidelines.