The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils in Knockanore School will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.
Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood. This version of the AUP was drafted on 30/8/2017 by the teaching staff. Following consultation with the Officers of the Parents’ Association changes were made to the draft document.
Internet Safety
School’s Strategy. The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunites and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:
General
Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
In order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material the school’s internet access is via N.C.T.E. filtering system.
The school will regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage by viewing ‘History’ on laptops.
Students and teachers will be provided with advice in the area of Internet safety.
Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
Students will observe good ‘netiquette’ (i.e. etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
World Wide Web
Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
Students will report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials in accordance with school procedures.
Students will not copy information into assignments and fail to acknowledge the source (plagiarism and copyright infringement).
Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
Downloading materials or images not relevant to their studies, is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
The school cannot be responsible for the content of advertising on legitimate sites.
Email· Students will not use school computers for sending or receiving personal emails.
Students will use approved class e-mail accounts under supervision by, or permission from, a teacher.
Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
Students will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses, date of birth, telephone numbers or pictures.
Students will be told never to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through e-mails or the internet.
Students will note that sending and receiving e-mail attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.
Internet Chat
Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums, messaging or other electronic communication fora that have been approved by the school.
Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be forbidden.
School Website
Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web in accordance with clear policies and approval processes regarding the content that can be loaded to the school’s website.
The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.
Photos and video clips will be published with parental consent.
The website will be regularly checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of pupils or staff.
Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.
Pupils’ Full names will never be attached to photographs published on school websites or other public domains.
Personal Devices Pupils are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school and sending nuisance text messages, or the unauthorized taking of images with a mobile phone camera, still or moving, is in direct breach of the school’s Acceptable Use Policy and Code of Behaviour.
LegislationTeachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves with the following legislation relating to use of the Internet:
Data Protection (Ammendment) Act 2003.
Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.
Interception Act 1993.
Video Recording Act 1989.
The Data Protection Act 1988.
Support Structures The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet e.g. webwise.ie
Webwise.ie is an internet safety awareness initiative developed by the N.C.T.E. for teachers, parents and students. It aims to promote safe use of the internet amongst school children (ages 4 to 18) their parents and teachers. Webwise.ie provides a practical means for teachers to help them develop the skills necessary for using all aspects of the internet in a safe and responsible manner.
The Stay Safe lessons in each classroom will be supplemented with appropriate SPHE Internet Safety Lessons from Webwise.ie.
Parents are advised that there is a new Google tool/App (November 2017) called ‘Family Link’ for use on Android devices which allows parents to:
Manage the apps their child can use - Approve or block the apps their child wants to download from the Google Play store. Keep an eye on screen time - See how much time their child spends on their favourite apps with weekly or monthly activity reports, and set daily screen time limits.
Set device bedtime - Remotely lock devices when it’s time for bed, or time to take a break
The importance of supervision of children’s access to the internet cannot be overstated.
SanctionsMisuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
Ratification and Communication The Board of Management officially ratified this policy on 27th November, 2017
This policy complies with Child Protection Policy.
Fr. Patrick Condon Chairperson, Board of Management Date 27/11/17
This policy is available from the Principal, on request.
Permission Form
Please review the attached school Internet Acceptable Use Policy, sign and return this permission form to the Principal.
Name of Pupil: ____________________________
Class: ____________________________
Pupil I agree to follow the school’s Acceptable Use Policy on the use of the Internet. I will use the Internet in a responsible way and obey all the rules explained to me by the school.
Parent/Guardian As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permission for my son or daughter or the child in my care to access the Internet. I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes. I also understand that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety but the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites.
I accept the above paragraph I do not accept the above paragraph (Please tick as appropriate)
In relation to the school website I accept that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the website. I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy relating to publishing children’s work on the school website.
I accept the above paragraph I do not accept the above paragraph (Please tick as appropriate)
Do you give permission for the inclusion of your child’s photograph, individually, in local newspapers/school website?
I do give permission I do not give permission (Please tick as appropriate)
Do you give permission for the inclusion of your child’s photograph, in a group, in local newspapers/school website?
I do give permission I do not give permission (Please tick as appropriate)
Do you give permission for your child’s first name to be attached to these photos?
I do give permission I do not give permission (Please tick as appropriate)
As part of the school’s education programme we offer pupils supervised access to the Internet. This allows students access to a large array of online educational resources that we believe can greatly enhance students’ learning experience.
However, access to and use of the Internet requires responsibility on the part of the user and the school. These responsibilities are outlined in the school’s Acceptable Use Policy (enclosed). It is important that this enclosed document is read carefully, signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school.
Although the school takes active steps to promote safe use of the Internet, it recognises the possibility that students may accidentally or deliberately access inappropriate or objectionable material.
The school respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to allow their children access to the Internet as defined by the school’s Acceptable Use Policy.
Having read the terms of our school’s Acceptable Use Policy, you may like to take a moment to consider how the Internet is used in your own home, and see if there is any way you could make it safer for your own family.