Christ Church (Hanham) CE VC Primary School

Stoke Park Schools

E-safety & Digital Communications Policy

1. Core Principles:

• The Internet is an essential element in 21st century 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.
• The school Internet access will be designed expressly for pupil use and will include filtering appropriate to the age of pupils.
• Internet use is a part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils.
• Pupils will be taught what Internet use is acceptable and what is not and given clear objectives for Internet use appropriate to their age.
• Pupils will be educated in the effective use of the Internet in research, including the skills of knowledge location, retrieval and evaluation.
• Pupils will be taught about e-safety through specific age related objectives and resources (Childnet and Kidsmart). Staff members should ensure that the use of Internet derived materials by both themselves and pupils complies with copyright law.
• Pupils should be taught to be critically aware of the materials they read and shown how to validate information before accepting its accuracy.
• Parents will be informed of the standards the children are expected to abide by when using the internet and related technologies at school. (See Appendix 2 - roles and responsibilities)
• Staff, pupils and parents will be provided with a copy of the acceptable use policy for E-safety.
• Parents will be provided with an e-Safety handout. This will be sent out annually to support e-Safety at home (see appendix 4). There will be a link on the website for parents to access, with information about how to stay safe at home and how to report any online suspicious activity towards their children.

2. Managing Internet Access

• School ICT systems capacity and security will be reviewed regularly. Access is filtered via the SWGfL, see SWGfL acceptable use policy:

• Virus protection will be updated regularly as part of the school’s IT support provision.
• Pupils will be taught how to carry out internet searches safely and efficiently.
• Children’s access to the Internet will be directly supervised with access to specific, approved on-line materials.
• All staff must read and sign the ‘Acceptable ICT Use Agreement’ (See Appendix 3) before using any school ICT resource.
• The school will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate material. However, due to the international scale and linked nature of Internet content, it is not possible to guarantee that unsuitable material will never appear on a school computer. Neither the school, SWGfL or Bristol LA can accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences of Internet access.
• Staff will be informed of the appropriate use of ICT for work purposes, appropriate use for personal purposes and ways in which it will be regulated. They will be made aware of the sanctions issued if misuse is carried out.

3. Published content and the school web site

• The contact details on the Web site should be the school address, e-mail and telephone number. Staff or pupils’ personal information will not be published.

• The head teacher has overall editorial responsibility to ensure that content is accurate and appropriate, however the responsibility to monitor the website will be delegated to the Website leader.

4. Publishing pupil’s images

• Written parental permission will be sought when each child starts school for images of pupils to be published on the school website or in other school documentation. Parents should contact the school should they wish to withdraw permission.

• Photographs that include pupils will be selected carefully.
• Pupils’ full names will not be used anywhere on the Web site, particularly in association with photographs.

5. Social networking and personal publishing

• The school will block/filter children’s access to social networking sites. It will allow administrative access to school staff for school marketing pages and material on such sites.
• Aspects of social networking will be taught to Upper KS2 children. Tools including message boards, blogs, instant messaging and collaboration tools will be used within the safer, school environment. All communication will be treated as ‘public’ and children will be asked to agree to a code of conduct before access to these tools is given. Misuse of these tools will lead to the application of sanctions including prohibiting or limiting access.
• Pupils and parents will be advised about the risks of using social network spaces outside school and how they can minimise these risks. A leaflet will be sent out annually. (Appendix 5)
• Increasingly, pupils will work in a virtual environment where teachers can leave feedback relating to online learning opportunities. Before embarking on any such virtual learning, the teacher will agree with the class expectations relating to all parties in relation to timescales for responding to feedback.

6. Managing filtering

• The school will work with the LA, SWGfL, DfE and the Internet Service Provider to ensure systems to protect pupils are reviewed and improved.
• If staff or pupils discover an unsuitable site, it must be reported to the school office, who will report it to the LA to ensure that it is filtered out.
• Regular checks will be made to ensure that the filtering methods selected are appropriate, effective and reasonable.

7. Managing emerging technologies

• Emerging technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk assessment will be carried out before use in school is allowed.
• Staff training will take place in light of changing technologies and procedures will be reviewed frequently in light of new technologies that emerge.

8. Protecting personal data

• Personal data will be recorded, processed, transferred and made available according to the Data Protection Act 1998.

9. Handling E-Safety complaints

• Complaints of Internet misuse incidents will be dealt with by a senior member of staff. Staff should report incidents/complaints to their line manager on the SLT.
• Any complaint about staff misuse must be referred to the Head Teacher.
• Complaints of a child protection nature must be dealt with in accordance with school child protection procedures. See Child Protection Policy.
• The school will keep a log of all incidents, including a description of the incident, details of who was involved and any actions taken. The log is kept in the school office and it is the responsibility of the senior member of staff to complete it. The complaint/incident should then be discussed at the next SLT meeting.

10. Conclusion

Access to the internet and digital communication media have the potential to greatly enhance learning and Stoke Park Schools is committed to extending these opportunities whilst maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Written: December 2012

Approved by Governors:

Reviewed: August 2014

Appendix 1: E-Safety Audit

This quick self-audit will help the senior management team (SMT) assess whether the e-safety basics are in place to support a range of activities that might include those detailed within Appendix 1.

E-safety Acceptable Use Agreement (Appendix 2)

KS2 Pupil Roles and Responsibilities

Finding information on the internet safely

I know:

• I know that I will get to use the internet if I use it responsibly
• That being responsible means I should not try to visit unsafe sites or register for things I am not old enough for
• That any protection system does not stop all unsafe content
• What to do if I open something that I don’t like
• How to search safely to find the information I want
• That I should be supervised
• That any information I put up on the web can be read be anyone
• That I should ask permission to use the work of others and credit them if I do
• That I should not copy others work and claim it as my own

Using technology to contact people

I know:

• How to choose my user name carefully to protect my identity
• How to keep my personal information private
• How to use safety features of web sites
• How to limit access to my information
• That e-mails / messages can be intercepted and forwarded on to anyone
• That I should be careful who I add as friends
• That I need to be polite online and friendly online and think about the language I use (it could be forwarded to my parents or head teacher!)
• How to use the subject field in e-mails
• Not to open messages if the subject field contains anything offensive or if I do not recognise who it is from (delete it without opening it)
• What to do if I receive an offensive message / e-mail including how to keep evidence
• That people online may not be who they seem

Using technology for buying and selling

I know:

• How to tell the difference between web sites for information and web sites selling things
• How to recognise commercial uses of the internet e.g. I Tunes, mobile phone downloads, shopping
• Not to leave computers logged on with my user name or logged on to sites with personal details entered
• That if an offer looks too good to be true it probably is
• That I should not respond to unsolicited online offers
• That I should not use someone else’s identity to buy things online

Signed (KS2 only):

______

Date: ______

E-safety Acceptable Use Agreement (Appendix 2)

Reception and KS1 Pupil Roles and Responsibilities

Finding information on the internet safely

Reception

I know:

• I will get to use the internet to play and learn, supported by a trusted adult/teacher.
• I will begin to understand the difference between real and online experiences.
• What to do if I open something I do not like.
• About stranger danger.

KS1

I know:

• I will get to use the internet to play and learn, supported by a trusted adult/teacher.
• I can find a range of information from the internet.
• What to do if I open something I do not like.
• Any information I put on the web can be read by anyone.
• My work can be shared and read online.
• About stranger danger.

Signed (Reception and KS1 only):

Date: ______

E-safety Acceptable Use Agreement (Appendix 2)

Guide for parents

Monitoring Home Use of the Internet

Parents / carers should:

• Ensure that young people access the internet in a communal room
• Ask their children about what sites they are looking at
• Ensure that family computers are password protected and have robust anti-virus software which is regularly updated
• Ensure content is appropriately filtered for younger users

Content – finding and publishing information on the internet

Parents / carers should:

• Ensure that their children know that they will only get to use the internet if they use it responsibly and that being responsible means they should not try to visit unsafe sites or register for things they are not old enough for.
• Ensure that their children know that any protection system does not stop all unsafe content and that children need to tell them if they access something inappropriate.
• Encourage children to search safely to find the information they want and search safely themselves using very specific search terms to reduce the likelihood of accessing unsafe material.
• Supervise younger children when they are using the internet
• Talk to children about the fact that any information published on the web can be read be anyone
• Check information that younger users are publishing on the web before it is posted to ensure that they are not putting themselves in danger

Contact - Using technology to contact people

Parents / carers should:

• Discuss user names with children and talk about how to choose them carefully to protect their identity
• Identify the information that young people should keep private in order to prevent them being contacted or traced including
• Talk to children about the need to use safety features of web sites
• Know how to limit access to personal information
• Be aware that e-mails / messages can be intercepted and forwarded on to anyone
• Discuss that children should be careful who they add as friends
• Talk to children about the need to be polite and friendly online and think about the language they use (it could be forwarded to other parents or the head teacher!)
• Show children how to use the subject field in e-mails
• Teach children not to open messages if the subject field contains anything offensive or if they do not recognise who it is from (delete it without opening it)
• Remind children what to do if they receive an offensive message / e-mail including how to keep evidence but most importantly ensuring they tell someone.
• Ensure children understand that people online may not be who they seem.

I have discussed these issues with my child.

Signed: ______Date: ______

E-safety Acceptable Use Agreement (Appendix 2)

Teacher Roles and Responsibilities

Finding information on the internet safely

The School should:

• Have clear rules on internet use.
• Ensure that all internet access is filtered in school.
• Teach your child about safe internet searching.
• Teach your child about protecting passwords and usernames.
• Test searches prior to children using them to ensure that no inappropriate results are found.
• Supervise my child when they are using the internet.

Using technology to contact people

The School should:

• Teach your child what information not to disclose over the internet and how to keep their identity private.
• Treat all communications using school based e-mail etc as ‘public’, checking that children communicate politely and responsibly.
• Provide a safe, protected space where children can communicate only with other children from the school/region.
• Teach your child about the hazards of social networking.
• Talk to children about the fact that any information published on the web can be read be anyone
• Teach your child that someone on the internet may not be who they seem.
• Check information that your child is publishing on the web before it is posted to ensure that they are not putting themselves in danger
• Teach your child what to do if they get sent inappropriate material or are a victim of cyber-bullying.

Using technology for buying and selling

The School should:

• Teach your child to identify sites that have a commercial motive.
• Teach your child to automatically close pop-ups.
• Teach your child how to avoid basic identity theft or fraud.

Signed: On behalf of the Stoke Park Schools Staff.

Appendix 3 Staff ICT Acceptable Use Policy 2014

As a professional organisation with responsibility for children’s safeguarding it is important that all staff take all possible and necessary measures to protect data and information systems from infection, unauthorised access, damage, loss, abuse and theft. All members of staff have a responsibility to use the school’s computer system in a professional, lawful, and ethical manner. To ensure that members of staff are fully aware of their professional responsibilities when using Information Communication Technology and the school systems, they are asked to read and sign this Acceptable Use Policy.

This is not an exhaustive list and all members of staff are reminded that ICT use should be consistent with the school ethos, other appropriate policies and the Law.

• I understand that Information Systems and ICT include networks, data and data storage, online and offline communication technologies and access devices. Examples include mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras, email and social media sites.
• School owned information systems must be used appropriately. I understand that the Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes the following criminal offences: to gain unauthorised access to computer material; to gain unauthorised access to computer material with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences or to modify computer material without authorisation.
• I understand that any hardware and software provided by my workplace for staff use can only be used by members of staff. To prevent unauthorised access to systems or personal data, I will not leave any information system unattended without first logging out or locking my login as appropriate.
• I will respect system security and I will not disclose any password or security information.
• I will not attempt to install any purchased or downloaded software, including browser toolbars, or hardware without permission from the system manager.
• I will ensure that any personal data of pupils, staff or parents/carers is kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988. This means that all personal data will be obtained and processed fairly and lawfully, only kept for specific purposes, held no longer than necessary and will be kept private and secure with appropriate security measures in place, whether used in the workplace, hosted online (only within countries or sites with suitable data protection controls) or accessed remotely. Any images or videos of pupils will only be used as stated in the school image use policy and will always take into account parental consent.
• I will protect the devices in my care from unapproved access or theft.
• I will not store any personal information on the computer system that is unrelated to school activities, such as personal photographs, files or financial information that can be accessed by pupils or other staff.
• I will respect copyright and intellectual property rights.
• I have read and understood the school e-Safety policy which covers the requirements for safe ICT use, including using appropriate devices, safe use of social media websites and the supervision of pupils within the classroom and other working spaces.
• I will report all incidents of concern regarding children’s online safety to the Designated Child Protection Coordinator as soon as possible. I will report any accidental access, receipt of inappropriate materials, filtering breaches or unsuitable websites to the e-Safety Coordinator or the designated lead for filtering as soon as possible.
• I will not attempt to bypass any filtering and/or security systems put in place by the school. If I suspect a computer or system has been damaged or affected by a virus or other malware or if I have lost any school related documents or files, then I will report this to the ICT Support Provider/Team as soon as possible.
• My electronic communications with pupils, parents/carers will only take place via work approved communication channels e.g. via a school provided email address or telephone number. Exemptions for any pre-existing relationships which may compromise this will be discussed with the Senior Leadership team and the outcome of the discussion recorded.
• My use of ICT and information systems will always be compatible with my professional role, whether using school or personal systems. This includes the use of email, text, social media, social networking, gaming, web publications and any other devices or websites. My use of ICT will not interfere with my work duties and will be in accordance with the school AUP and the Law.
• I will not create, transmit, display, publish or forward any material that is likely to harass, cause offence, inconvenience or needless anxiety to any other person, or anything which could bring my professional role, the school, or the County Council, into disrepute.
• I will promote e-Safety with the pupils in my care and will help them to develop a responsible attitude to safety online, system use and to the content they access or create.
• If I have any queries or questions regarding safe and professional practise online either in school or off site, then I will raise them with the e-Safety Coordinator or the Head Teacher.
• I understand that my use of the School information systems, Internet and email may be monitored and recorded to ensure policy compliance.

The School may exercise its right to monitor the use of School information systems, including Internet access and the interception of e-mails in order to monitor compliance with this Acceptable Use Policy and the School’s Data Security Policy. Where it believes unauthorised and/or inappropriate use of the service’s information system or unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour may be taking place, the School will invoke its disciplinary procedure. If the School suspects that the system may be being used for criminal purposes or for storing unlawful text, imagery or sound, the matter will be brought to the attention of the relevant law enforcement organisation.