ST. JOHN S MIDDLE SCHOOL ICT Resources, Internet and Email Acceptable Use Policy This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) applies to all school staff (including temporary staff), and visitors using the school s ICT resources. The computers are provided and maintained for the benefit of all students and staff, who are encouraged to use and enjoy these resources, and ensure they remain available to all. ICT Equipment Do not install, attempt to install, or store programs of any type on the computers without permission. Do not damage, disable, or otherwise harm the operation of computers, or intentionally waste resources. Do not use the computers for commercial purposes, e.g. buying or selling goods. Do not open files brought in on removable media (such as floppy disks, CDs, flash drives, etc.) until they have been checked with antivirus software, and been found to be clean of viruses. Do not connect mobile equipment to the network (e.g. laptops, tablet PC s, PDA s etc.) until they have been checked with antivirus software, and been found to be clean of viruses. Do not eat or drink near computer equipment. Security & Privacy Keep your system passwords safe. Do not disclose your password to others, or use passwords intended for the use of others. If you have - 1
disclosed your password to IT Support, ensure that you change it once they no longer need it. Do not use the computers in a way that harasses, harms, offends or insults others. Respect, and do not attempt to bypass security in place on the computers, or attempt to alter the settings, or seek to gain access to restricted areas or confidential data. If you become aware that there has been unauthorised access to your computer, you must raise it immediately with IT Support because of the implications for the security of school and personal data. Keep all confidential information secure, use it only for the purposes intended and do not disclose it to any unauthorised third party. Always lock your computer or log out completely whenever you leave your desk. Working Remotely This part of the policy and the procedures in it apply to your use of our systems, to your use of our laptops, and also to your use of your own computer equipment whenever you are working on any personal data of which the school is the data controller away from the school s premises (working remotely). When you are working remotely you must: Password protect any work which relates to school personal data so that no other person can access your work. Take reasonable precautions to safeguard the security of our laptop computers and any computer equipment on which you use for school work and keep your passwords secure. Inform the Business Manager and Network Manager as soon as possible if your laptop or any computer equipment on which you do school work has been stolen. - 2
Ensure that any work that you do remotely is saved on the school network as soon as reasonably possible. PDA s or similar hand-held devices are easily stolen and not very secure so you must password-protect access to any such devices used by you on which is stored any personal data of which the school is the data controller. Internet Acceptable Use Use of the Internet by school staff is permitted and encouraged where such use supports the goals and objectives of the school. Limited personal use is permitted. Use of Internet is monitored for security and network management reasons. Users may also be subject to limitations on their use of such resources. Inform IT Support of any instances where you have accessed inappropriate sites by accident. For example this may be through mistyping an address or spam email link. The use of computing resources is subject to UK law and any illegal use will be dealt with appropriately. For example the police can have a right of access to recorded data in pursuit of a crime. Irresponsible use may result in the loss of Internet access. Unacceptable Use or Behaviour It is unacceptable to; Use the Internet to obtain, download, send, print, display or otherwise transmit or gain access to materials that are unlawful, obscene or abusive or contain other objectionable materials. Make or post indecent remarks, proposals or materials on the Internet including racist or sexist jokes and defamatory comments. Upload, download or otherwise transmit commercial software or any copyrighted materials belonging to parties outside of the school, or the - 3
school itself unless this download is covered or permitted under a commercial agreement or other such licence. Download any software or electronic files without implementing virus protection measures that have been approved by the school. Engage in chat activities over the Internet. This takes up valuable resources which could be used by others to benefit their studies. Monitoring The school accepts that the use of the Internet is an extremely valuable business, research and learning tool. However misuse of such a facility can have a detrimental effect on other users and potentially the school s public profile. As a result, the school monitors; The volume of Internet and network traffic. The Internet sites visited. The specific content of any transactions will not be monitored unless there is a suspicion of improper use. Email Acceptable Use The email system is meant for school use. A limited amount of personal usage is allowed if it is reasonable and does not interfere with work. The school will directly access staff email accounts in the pursuit of an appropriately authorised legal or disciplinary investigation. Use of email may be subject to monitoring for security and/or network management reasons. The school reserves the right to redirect the email of staff that have left for legitimate business purposes. Users are responsible for ensuring personal emails are stopped. You are strongly discouraged from providing your St John s Middle School e-mail address when using public web sites for non-business purposes, such as on-line shopping. This must be kept to a minimum and done only where necessary, as it results in you and the school receiving substantial amounts of unwanted e-mail. - 4
It is unacceptable to; Send or receive any material that is obscene or defamatory or which is intended to annoy, harass or intimidate another person. Represent personal opinions as those of the school. Forward chain emails or engage in spamming. Waste time on non-school business. Send confidential information via email. Users should: Keep emails brief and use meaningful subject lines. Re-read messages before sending to check for clarity. Understand how to use - and don't mismanage - CC and BCC: only CC in people that really need to receive the email. Do not send large file attachments unless they are expected. Use file compression techniques for large files or send then using an alternative method. Check their e-mails daily and housekeep frequently. Use folders and delete any unwanted messages promptly. Never reply to spam. Use distribution lists to send to as few people as possible. Do not send messages to everyone when this is not essential. It is wasteful of capacity, and annoying to recipients to whom the information is irrelevant. Keep to a minimum the use of read receipts. They should only be used where actual proof of receipt is required. The use of read receipts for general communication creates an additional overload for our network and servers. Take the same care in drafting an email as they would for any other communication. - 5
Compliance with this Policy Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action being taken against you under St John s Middle School's disciplinary procedures. Please note that the procedures and policies outlined in this policy may be reviewed or changed at any time. You will be informed of any important changes. Contact IT Support for guidance on any information in this policy that you are unsure of. All school staff are required to sign the usage agreement below indicating that they have read, understood and will abide by this policy. Please complete and then return the section below to Wendy Taylor, Headteacher. Chair of Governors:... Date:... Headteacher:... Date... Agreed at the Governing Body Meeting on:... Reviewed : September 2010 ICT Resources, Internet and E-Mail Usage Agreement I, the undersigned acknowledge that I have read, understood and agree to abide by the St John s Middle School ICT Resources, Internet and Email Policy Signed:... Date:... Name in Capitals:... - 6