1 The benefits of Internet access for education Whole-Academy network security strategies Hardware and software infrastructures...

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1 CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY ACCEPTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF IT RESOURCES (INTERNET ACCESS AND POLICY STAFF AND STUDENTS) Contents 1 The benefits of Internet access for education Whole-Academy network security strategies Hardware and software infrastructures Classroom management structures Risk assessment and management of Internet content Software licensing Regulation and guidelines accounts The Academy s website Moderated mailing lists, newsgroups and chat rooms Staff Laptop Policy Communicating the Academy s AUP Informing students Informing staff Informing parents / carers... 7

2 The Benefits of Internet Access For Education Access to the Internet offers both students and teachers 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 teachers and students is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication. However, for both students and teachers, Internet access at Academy is a privilege and not an entitlement. Unfortunately as there is the possibility that students will encounter inappropriate material on the Internet, the Academy will actively take all reasonable precautions to restrict student access to both undesirable and illegal material. Teachers are responsible for guiding students in their on-line activities, by providing clear objectives for Internet use. Teaching staff will also ensure that students are only too aware of what is regarded as acceptable and responsible use of the Internet. 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. Students will access websites previewed and approved by their teacher. All search engine requests are filtered through the Academy proxy filter maintained by our Internet Service Provider. All searches are also monitored by the Academy s forensic software installed on all PCs/Laptops. The free use of search engines is permitted only when another teacher or member of staff is present. 2 WHOLE-ACADEMY NETWORK SECURITY STRATEGIES The Academy Network Manager will check user files, temporary Internet files and history files weekly. Uploading and downloading of non-approved application software is denied. Staff must use Academy laptops for professional purposes only. Use of laptops, ipads and Academy computers for personal photos is strictly forbidden. Any personal IT equipment must not be connected to the Academy network without prior authorisation of the IT management. All Academy hardware must be used with care and any damage must be reported to IT management. All USB sticks and drives should be virus scanned prior to their use on Academy equipment All access to the Academy network requires entry of a recognised User ID and password. Students must log out after every network session. Virus protection software is installed and updated regularly. The Academy Network Manager carries out checks and updates on the network. He also carries out necessary checks and updates of teacher s laptops and class PCs once twice a year. CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Page 2 ACCEPTABLE USE OF ICT POLICY 2014/15

3 Using personal CD-ROMs OR DVDs on the Academy network requires specific teacher permission and a virus check. Unapproved system utilities software and executable files are not allowed to be stored in student storage areas. 2.1 Hardware and software infrastructures The Academy has invested in the following hardware and software infrastructures to reduce risks associated with the Internet. Proxy Server BGFL filtering software as provided by Link2ICT. Secure Client Server Network New servers running Windows Server 2008 with full security patches and updates. All wifi hotspots updated and monitoring software installed. Forensic Software installed on all student & staff Laptops and PCs. These are monitored on a daily basis by the Network Manager and also by the Academy s external third party support team. The Academy s Anti-Virus system checks all student files held on the Academy s network every time a file is created/added/changed and all files are automatically checked once a day during the server backup procedures. Any irregularities are reported at once from the server software to the Network Manager and to the Academy s external third party support team. 2.2 Classroom management structures Planned seating and use of currently installed software will allow teachers to trace and monitor student access and usage of the Internet. Ensure that computers are positioned and relevant software is being used in such a way that monitors are easily observed by teachers. 3 RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET CONTENT The Academy has taken and will continue to take all reasonable precautions to ensure that students access appropriate material only. It is not possible to give a complete guarantee that a student will never come across unsuitable material while using a Academy networked computer. The Academy cannot accept liability if such material is accessed nor for any consequences resulting from Internet access. All students are taught effective online research techniques including the use of subject catalogues and search engines. Receiving information over the web or in or text messages develops good information-handling skills. CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Page 3 ACCEPTABLE USE OF ICT POLICY 2014/15

4 Key online information-handling skills include: Ensuring the validity, currency and origins of the information accessed or received; Using alternative sources of information for comparison purposes; Identifying an author s name, date of revision of the materials, and possible other links to the site; Respecting copyright and intellectual property rights. Students will be made fully aware of the risks to which they may be exposed while on the Internet. They will be shown how to recognise and avoid the negative areas of the Internet. However, if they encounter such material they will know that they should switch off the monitor, not the computer, and report the incident to the nearest teacher or the Academy's IT co-ordinator who will deal with it according to the Academy AUP. 3.1 SOFTWARE LICENSING Software copied onto the server must have the appropriate server or per seat licence available. 4 REGULATION AND GUIDELINES The Academy s Internet access incorporates a software filtering system to block certain chat rooms, newsgroups, and inappropriate websites. The filtering system used on the Academy 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. Accessing a site denied by the filtering system will result in a report being generated and sent to the Academy's ICT Co-ordinator for appropriate action once relevant software has been installed. The Birmingham Grid for Learning regularly assesses the effectiveness of the filtering system. The authorities filtering strategy depends on the age and curriculum requirements of each class. Staff members will immediately report the details of any inappropriate or illegal Internet material found to a member of the SLT team who will take an appropriate course of action subsequently. Similarly, if necessary, the Academy will request of BGFL that 'allow' access be made of certain banned sites and provide the educational reasons behind the request. CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Page 4 ACCEPTABLE USE OF ICT POLICY 2014/15

5 4.1 accounts It is forbidden for students to access or attempt to access personal or Academy accounts of staff members. Staff must not intentionally share personal details with students. Any such infringement observed by staff or students must be reported to the Principal. Staff must use Academy and internet accounts for professional use only. Staff usage of the and internet facilities will be monitored to ensure compliance with this policy. Failure to adhere to the requirements will result in appropriate action being taken. Students may not reveal their own or other people s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or arrange to meet someone outside Academy via the Academy network. 4.2 The Academy s website An editorial team comprising staff, the Academy Network Manager will manage all aspects of placing web pages on the Academy's website. It has have full editorial responsibility and ensures that the content on the site is accurate and appropriate. The website will always strive to comply with the Department for Education s guidelines. The copyright of all material produced by the Academy on its web pages belongs to the Academy. Permission to reproduce any other material will be sought and obtained, from the copyright owner. The contact details for the Academy will include only the Academy's postal address, address and telephone number. No information about teachers' home addresses will be published. The Academy 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. Website photographs or videos that include students will be carefully selected and will be of a type that does not allow individual students to be identified. Group photographs or over the shoulder images are preferred. 4.3 Moderated mailing lists, newsgroups and chat rooms The Academy may use an distribution list to send messages to selected groups of users. Teachers will moderate other collaboration tools such as newsgroups if used on the Academy network for learning purposes. Students will be denied access to public or unmoderated 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 students. 4.4 Other communication technologies CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Page 5 ACCEPTABLE USE OF ICT POLICY 2014/15

6 Students are not allowed to use personal mobile devices during lessons or formal Academy time. It is forbidden to send abusive or otherwise inappropriate text messages using the facilities provided by the Academy network. 4.5 Staff laptop/ipad policy All Academy laptops to be provided to teaching staff as dictated by the entitlement should be used for professional purposes only. Laptops will be in good working order and will be maintained by the Academy Network Manager. Any faults/damage or theft to be reported to the Network Manager and IT coordinator promptly. Only approved software will be installed on laptops by the technician. All laptops will be monitored and serviced as appropriate by the Network Manager. Staff will be responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of the antivirus software installed on laptops by regularly connecting machines to the Academy network. It is strongly advised that flash drives ( memory sticks ) are used solely to transfer documents etc. from laptops to Academy hard drives and not as storage facilities. All Academy documents must also be saved on the Academy hard drive where they can be backed up on a daily basis. The entitlement to a Academy laptop/ipad for teaching staff is as follows: All class teachers are to be provided with a Academy laptop and ipad. PPA cover teachers may also be provided with laptops and are advised to use the PCs in the staffroom or PPA room as necessary. 5 COMMUNICATING THE ACADEMY S AUP 5.1 Informing students 'Code of Practice' posters will be displayed near all networked computer systems. Students will be informed that their Internet use is monitored and be given instructions on safe and responsible use of the Internet. The Academy has created separate Rules for Acceptable and Responsible Internet Use as appropriate. Students must sign the relevant part of the AUP before being allowed network access, parents must sign a consent form demonstrating support and agreement of the same. 5.2 Informing staff All staff will be provided with a copy of the Academy s Acceptable Use Policy. Teachers are aware that Internet traffic can be monitored and traced to an individual user. Staff will be consulted about the development of the Academy s Acceptable Use Policy and instructions on safe and responsible Internet. Teachers must sign to show they have received and read this policy. CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Page 6 ACCEPTABLE USE OF ICT POLICY 2014/15

7 To avoid misunderstandings teachers will contact the IT co-ordinator regarding any doubts that arise concerning the legitimacy of any given instance of Internet use. Teachers will be provided with information on 'copyright and the Internet' issues that apply to Academys. 5.3 Informing parents / carers Parents attention will be drawn to the Academy AUP by on admission of their child and on the Academy s website once that is in place. Advice that accords with acceptable and responsible Internet use by students at home will be made available to parents. Safety issues will be handled sensitively. The Academy will obtain parental consent before publication of students' work or photographs. All comments on and suggestions concerning this Acceptable Use Policy should be sent to: Ms Gazeley, Principal Signed by Chair of LAB Date CITY ROAD PRIMARY ACADEMY Page 7 ACCEPTABLE USE OF ICT POLICY 2014/15