St. Crispins CP Infant School
Schools e-Safety
Internet Policy Document
At St Crispin’s we recognise that Pupils interact with new technologies such as mobile phones, games consoles and the Internet on a daily basis and experience a wide range of opportunities, attitudes and situations. The exchange of ideas, social interaction and learning opportunities involved are greatly beneficial but can occasionally place young people in danger.
As an educational establishment we need to develop and respond to the impact of the Internet and advancing technologies and prepare our pupils for the future. As a school we feel that the purpose of Internet use is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s management information and business administration systems.
Who will write and review the policy ?
Our e–Safety Policy has been written by the school, building on the KCC e–Safety Policy and government guidance. It has been agreed by the Senior Leadership Team and approved by governors. The e-Safety Policy and its implementation will be reviewed annually. Parents will be requested to sign an agreement when their child starts school which outlines details of e–Safety/Internet and the publishing of pupils images on the school website .
Why is Internet use important?
The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s management functions. Internet use is part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for learning. The Internet is a part of everyday life for education, business and social interaction. The school has a duty to provide students with quality Internet access as part of their learning experience and whilst within school pupils will use age-appropriate tools to research Internet content. Pupils use the Internet widely outside school and need to learn how to evaluate Internet information and to take care of their own safety and security.
How will information systems security be maintained?
Virus protection will be updated regularly. The security of the school information systems and users will be reviewed regularly.
How will e-mail be managed?
Staff should not use personal email accounts during school hours or for professional purposes. Whole-class or group email addresses will be used in primary schools for communication outside of the school.
How will published content be managed?
The contact details on the website should be the school address, email and telephone number. Staff or pupils’ personal information must not be published.
Can pupil’s images or work be published?
Parents or carers will be asked when their child starts school for permission to publish images of their child. As a school we will ensure that no image is accompanied by pupil names and that the images will be carefully selected so that pupils cannot be easily identified and be unlikely to pose an e-safety treat. Pupils’ full names will not be used anywhere on the website, particularly in association with photographs.
How will social networking, social media and personal publishing be managed?
The schools will block/filter access to social networking sites. Pupils will be advised never to give out personal details of any kind which may identify them and/or their location. Examples would include real name, address, mobile or landline phone numbers, school attended, IM and e-mail addresses, full names of friends, specific interests and clubs etc.
How will filtering be managed?
The school will work with KCC and the Schools Broadband team to ensure that systems to protect pupils are reviewed and improved.
If staff or pupils discover unsuitable sites, the URL must be reported to the e–Safety Coordinator who will record the incident in a log book and escalate the concern as appropriate. The school’s broadband access will include filtering appropriate to the age and maturity of pupils.
How will videoconferencing be managed?
Videoconferencing should be supervised appropriately for the pupils’ age and will be switched off when not in use. Prior to pupils’ taking part in videoconferencing parental and carers consent will be obtained.
How can emerging technologies be managed?
Emerging technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk assessment will be carried out before use in school is allowed.
How should personal data be protected?
Personal data will be recorded, processed, transferred and made available according to the Data Protection Act 1998.
How will Internet access be authorised?
All staff must read and sign the ‘Staff Information Systems Code of Conduct’ or Acceptable Use Policy before using any school ICT resource. Access to the Internet will be by adult demonstration with occasional directly supervised access to specific, approved on-line materials. Parents will be asked to sign and return a consent form for pupil access (E-safety leaflet)
How will risks be assessed?
The school will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate material. However, due to the global and connected nature of Internet content, it is not possible to guarantee that access to unsuitable material will never occur via a school computer. Neither the school nor KCC can accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences resulting from Internet use.
How will e-safety complaints be handled?
Complaints of Internet misuse will be dealt with under the School’s Complaints Procedure. Any complaint about staff misuse must be referred to the headteacher. All e–Safety complaints and incidents will be recorded by the school ― including any actions taken.
How will Cyberbullying be managed?
Cyberbullying (along with all forms of bullying) will not be tolerated in school. All incidents of cyberbullying reported to the school will be recorded.
How will Learning Platforms and Learning Environments be managed?
At the moment only members of the current staff community will have access to the LP. Staff will be advised on acceptable conduct and use when using the learning platform. All users will be mindful of copyright issues and will only upload appropriate content onto the LP. When staff leave the school their account or rights to specific school areas will be transferred to their new establishment.
How will the policy be introduced to pupils?
E-Safety rules will be posted in rooms with Internet access and pupils will be reminded before gaining Internet access on the need to be responsible and safe whilst online. An e–Safety module will be included in the PSHE, Citizenship and/or ICT programmes covering both safe school and home use.
How will the policy be discussed with staff?
The e–Safety Policy will be formally provided to and discussed with all members of staff. Staff should be aware that Internet traffic can be monitored and traced to the individual user. Discretion and professional conduct is essential. Staff training in safe and responsible Internet use both professionally and personally will be provided. To protect all staff and pupils, the school will implement Acceptable Use Policies.
How will parents’ support be enlisted?
Parents’ attention will be drawn to the School e–Safety Policy in newsletters, the school brochure and on the school website.
Schools e-safety Audit
This self audit will be completed by the e-safety co-ordinator annually.
Next Review November 2012
This document was produced by the e-Safety Policy Document Generator for Kent County Council (KCC) by EIS, Maidstone a business unit of KCC