Staff / Volunteer Acceptable User Policy for Internet and Email
Date Produced: June 2014
Agreed by Governors: July 2014
Reviewed by Governors:
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Allerton Bywater Primary School
Staff / Volunteer Acceptable User Policy for Internet and Email
New technologies have become integral to the lives of people in today’s society in our work
and home lives and in teaching and learning. The internet and other digital information and
communications technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for
everyone. However email and internet access may leave organisations and the people that
operate within them vulnerable to new risks and liabilities so it is really important that staff
and volunteers understand the risks involved and follow the guidelines set out in this
document.
This Acceptable Use Policy is intended to ensure:
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That staff/volunteers will be responsible users and stay safe while using the internet
and other communications technologies for business and personal use.
•
That Allerton Bywater Primary School’s ICT systems and its users are protected from
accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users
at risk.
Allerton Bywater Primary School will try to ensure that all staff/volunteers have good access
to ICT and does, in return, expect staff/volunteers to agree to be responsible users.
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Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
I understand that I must use the service ICT systems in a responsible way, to ensure that
there is no risk to my safety or to the safety and security of the ICT systems and other users.
For my own personal safety:
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I understand that Allerton Bywater Primary School and the Brigshaw Trust will
monitor my use of the ICT systems, internet and email communications.
I understand that I must protect my username and password – I will not
share it, nor will I try to use any other person’s username and password.
I will be aware of ‘stranger danger’, when I am communicating on-line.
I will not disclose or share personal information about myself or others
when on-line.
I will immediately report any unpleasant or inappropriate material or
messages or anything that I find offensive.
I understand that everyone has equal rights to use technology as a resource and:
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I understand that the school’s ICT systems are primarily intended for
school related use and that I will not use the systems for personal or
recreational use unless I have permission to do so.
I will not make downloads or uploads unless I have permission to do so.
I will not use the school’s ICT systems for on-line gaming, on-line gambling, personal
internet shopping, file sharing etc. unless I have permission to do so.
I will act as I expect others to act toward me:
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I will respect others’ work and property and will not access, copy, remove
or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without the owner’s knowledge and
permission.
I will be responsible when I communicate with others on-line. I will not
use strong, aggressive or inappropriate language and will appreciate that
others may have different opinions.
I will not take or distribute images of anyone without their permission.
I recognise that Allerton Bywater Primary School have a responsibility to maintain the
security and integrity of the technology it offers me and to ensure the smooth running
of the service:
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I understand the risks and will not try to upload, download or access any
materials which are illegal or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to
others.
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I will immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or
software, however this may have happened using the schools reporting mechanism.
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I will not open any attachments to emails, unless I know and trust the person /
organisation that sent the email, due to the risk of the attachment containing viruses
or other harmful programmes.
I will not install or attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine, or store
programmes on a computer, nor will I try to alter computer settings unless I have
permission.
When transferring data electronically I will make every effort to depersonalise it by
not referring to full names or by not including any other sensitive information which
will allow an individual to be personally identified eg. Addresses or dates of birth.
Where this is not possible I will ensure that the data is encrypted where ever
possible using encryption software prior to the data being transferred.
When using the internet for research or recreation, I recognise that:
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I should ensure that I have permission to use the original work of others in
my own work.
Where work is protected by copyright, I will not download copies (including music
and videos) without the permission of the owner.
When I am using the internet to find information, I should take care to
check that the information that I access is accurate, as I understand that the work of
others may not be truthful and may be a deliberate attempt to mislead me.
I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and outside of Allerton Bywater
Primary School:
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I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy
Agreement this could lead to the school’s disciplinary procedures being
enforced against me.
Staff / Volunteer Acceptable Use and e-Behaviour Agreement Form
Please complete the sections below to show that you have read, understood and agree to
the rules included in the Acceptable Use Agreement for Internet and e-mail.
I have read and understand the above and agree to follow these guidelines.
Name: __________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________
Date: __________________________
All staff are also expected to sign the master copy which is kept in the School Office
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Appendix
Internet and e-mail - the Risks
In general there are 5 main risk areas for users of the internet these are sometimes
categorised as the 5 C’s
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Content
Commerce
Contact
Culture
Corruption
Content
There is a risk that when using the internet or other online services and technologies, users
may be exposed to inappropriate content. This may be material that is pornographic,
hateful or violent, encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal, or is just inappropriate
or biased. One of the key benefits of the web is that it is open to all, but unfortunately this
also means that those with extreme political, racist or sexist views also have a free voice.
Contact
E-safety risks associated with contact are perhaps the ones which receive most press
attention because of the fear of physical danger. A criminal minority makes use of the
internet and related services, such as chat rooms, gaming and social networking sites, to
make contact establish and develop relationships which may lead to exploitation
Commerce
When using new technologies, there is a risk that you could do something that has financial
or commercial consequences. E-commerce continues to grow, and there is a risk that users
may give out financial details, for example the credit card, bank account while online. This
can result in unexpected consequences and charges.
Culture
Cultural e-safety risks cut across the other three areas. There is a risk that some people, may
get involved in inappropriate or antisocial behaviour while using new technologies. Just as in
the real world, groups or cliques can form online, and activities that start out as harmless
fun, such as voicing and opposing opinion to another member of a chat room, can quickly
escalate to something much more serious. Users should avoid being rude or inconsiderate
online. They should behave in the same way online as they would offline.
Corruption
ICT systems can sometimes become corrupted through viruses. A virus is a computer
programme normally created as a prank or as a malicious action that is designed to infect
computers and cause severe consequences to files and programmes stored on the
computer. Users should be aware that downloading programmes or attachments from email from unknown sources may cause risks of contracting viruses.
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