E-Safety Policy
This policy applies to the whole school community including the senior leadership team, school governors, all
staff employed directly or indirectly by the school and all pupils.
1. Aims and Expectations
New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both
within schools and in their lives outside school.
The internet and other digital and information technologies are powerful tools, which open up new
opportunities for everyone. Electronic communication helps teachers and pupils learn from each other.
These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and increase awareness of context to
promote effective learning. Children and young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at
all times.
The use of these exciting and innovative tools in school and at home has been shown to raise educational
standards and promote pupil achievement.
This policy aims to set clear expectations of behaviour relevant to responsible use of the internet for
educational, personal or recreational use.
This policy stands alongside the staff policies on school ICT and Communications Systems and The Use of
Social Networking Sites.
2. The Risks
The use of these new technologies can put young people at risk within and outside the school. Some of the
dangers they may face include:
• access to illegal, harmful or inappropriate images or other content
• unauthorised access to / loss of / sharing of personal information
• the risk of being subject to grooming by those with whom they make contact on the internet.
• the sharing / distribution of personal images without an individual’s consent or knowledge
• inappropriate communication / contact with others, including strangers
• cyber-bullying
• an inability to evaluate the quality, accuracy and relevance of information on the internet
• illegal downloading of music or video files
This list is not exhaustive and many of these risks reflect situations in the off-line world and it is essential that
this e-safety policy is used in conjunction with other school policies.
Oxenhope
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Governors
Governors are responsible for the approval of the E-Safety Policy and for reviewing the effectiveness of the
policy. This will be carried out by the Governors receiving regular information about e-safety incidents and
monitoring reports. A member of the Governing Body has taken on the role of E-Safety Governor.
Headteacher
The Headteacher is responsible for ensuring the safety (including e-safety) of members of the school
community, though the day-to-day responsibility for e-safety will be delegated to the E-Safety Co-ordinator.
 The Headteacher is responsible for ensuring that the E-Safety Coordinator and other relevant staff
receive suitable CPD to enable them to carry out their e-safety roles and to train other colleagues, as
relevant.
 The Headteacher will ensure that there is a system in place to allow for monitoring and support of those
in school who carry out the internal e-safety monitoring role. This is to provide a safety net and also
support to those colleagues who take on the important monitoring role.
 The Headteacher will receive regular monitoring reports from the E-Safety Co-ordinator.
 The Headteacher and E-Safety Coordinator should be aware of the procedures to be followed in the
event of a serious e-safety allegation being made against a member of staff.
E-Safety Coordinator
The E-Safety Coordinator is responsible for :
 taking day to day responsibility for e-safety issues and has a leading role in establishing and reviewing
the school e-safety policies / documents
 ensuring that all staff are aware of the procedures that need to be followed in the event of an e-safety
incident taking place.
 providing training and advice for staff
 liaising with the Local Authority
 liaising with school ICT technical staff
 receiving reports of e-safety incidents and creating a log of incidents to inform future e-safety
developments
 meeting regularly with the Head teacher and E-Safety Governor to discuss current issues, reviewing
incident logs and filtering logs
 attending relevant meetings / committees of Governors
 reporting regularly to the Headteacher
Technical Staff
Technical staff (Supplied by Data Cable) are responsible for ensuring:
 that the school’s ICT infrastructure is secure and is not open to misuse or malicious attack
 that the school meets the e-safety technical requirements outlined in the Security Policy and Acceptable
Usage Policy and any relevant Local Authority E-Safety Policy and guidance.
 that users may only access the school’s networks through a properly enforced password protection
policy.
Teaching and Support Staff
are responsible for ensuring that:
• they have an up to date awareness of e-safety matters and of the current school e-safety policy and
practices
• they have read, understood and signed the school Staff Acceptable Use Policy / Agreement (AUP)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
they report any suspected misuse or problem to the E-Safety Co-Ordinator.
digital communications with pupils should be on a professional level and only carried out using official
school systems (DB Primary Email Facility).
E-safety issues are embedded in all aspects of the curriculum and other school activities using the
schools adopted Common Sense Media scheme of work.
pupils understand and follow the school e-safety and acceptable use policy
they monitor ICT activity in lessons, extra curricular and extended school activities
they are aware of e-safety issues related to the use of mobile phones, cameras and hand held devices
and that they monitor their use and implement current school policies with regard to these devices
in lessons where internet use is pre-planned pupils should be guided to sites checked as suitable for their
use and that processes are in place for dealing with any unsuitable material that is found in internet
searches
Named Persons for Child Protection
should be trained in e-safety issues and be aware of the potential for serious child protection issues to arise
from:
• sharing of personal data
• access to illegal / inappropriate materials
• inappropriate on-line contact with adults / strangers
• potential or actual incidents of grooming
• cyber-bullying
Pupils
Are responsible for using the school ICT systems in accordance with the Pupil Acceptable Use Policy, which
they and their parents will be expected to sign before being allowed access to school ICT systems.
They should also:
•
have a good understanding of research skills and the need to avoid plagiarism.
•
understand the importance of abuse, misuse or access to inappropriate materials and how to report them.
•
understand the importance of adopting good e-safety
•
understand the importance of adopting good e-safety practice when using digital technologies out of
school and realise that the school’s E-Safety Policy covers their actions out of school, if related to their
membership of the school.
E-Safety Committee
Members of the E-safety committee will assist the E-Safety Coordinator and Headteacher with the
production / review / monitoring of the school e-safety policy / documents.
Parents / Carers
Parents / Carers play a crucial role in ensuring that their children understand the need to use the internet /
mobile devices in an appropriate way. Research shows that many parents and carers do not fully understand
the issues and are less experienced in the use of ICT than their children. The school will therefore take every
opportunity to help parents understand these issues through parents’ evenings, newsletters, letters, website
and information about national / local e-safety campaigns / literature. Parents and carers will be responsible
for:
• endorsing (by signature) the Pupil Acceptable Use Policy
•
accessing the school website / on-line pupil records in accordance with the relevant school Acceptable
Use Policy
4. Policy Statements
Education – pupils
Whilst regulation and technical solutions are very important, their use must be balanced by educating pupils
to take a responsible approach. The education of pupils in e-safety is therefore an essential part of the
school’s e-safety provision. Children and young people need the help and support of the school to recognise
and avoid e-safety risks and build their resilience.
E-Safety education will be provided in the following ways
•
•
•
•
A planned e-safety programme should be provided as part of ICT / PHSE / other lessons and should be
regularly revisited – this will cover both the use of ICT and new technologies in school and outside school
Key e-safety messages should be reinforced as part of a planned programme of assemblies
Pupils should be taught in all lessons to be critically aware of the materials / content they access on-line
and be guided to validate the accuracy of information
Pupils should be helped to understand the need for the pupil AUP and encouraged to adopt safe and
responsible use of ICT, the internet and mobile devices both within and outside school
Education – parents / carers
Many parents and carers have only a limited understanding of e-safety risks and issues, yet they play an
essential role in the education of their children and in the monitoring / regulation of the children’s on-line
experiences. Parents often either underestimate or do not realise how often children and young people come
across potentially harmful and inappropriate material on the internet and are often unsure about what they
would do about it. “There is a generational digital divide”. (Byron Report).
The school will therefore seek to provide information and awareness to parents and carers through:
• letters, newsletters, web site
• parents evenings
Education & Training – Staff
It is essential that all staff receive e-safety training and understand their responsibilities, as outlined in this
policy. Training will be offered as follows:
•
•
•
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a planned programme of formal e-safety training will be made available to staff.
the E-Safety Coordinator will receive regular updates through attendance at LA and cluster training
sessions and by reviewing guidance documents released by YHGfL / LA and others.
this E-Safety policy and its updates will be presented to and discussed by staff in staff meetings.
the E-Safety Coordinator will provide advice / guidance / training as required to individuals as required
Training – Governors
Governors should take part in e-safety training / awareness sessions, with particular importance for those
who are members of any sub committee / group involved in ICT / e-safety / health and safety / child
protection. This may be offered in a number of ways:
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attendance at training provided by the Local Authority / National Governors Association or other relevant
organisation.
•
participation in school training / information sessions for staff or parents
5. Technical – infrastructure / equipment, filtering and monitoring
The school will be responsible for ensuring that the school infrastructure / network is as safe and secure as
is reasonably possible and that policies and procedures approved within this policy are implemented. It will
also need to ensure that the relevant people named in the above sections will be effective in carrying out
their e-safety responsibilities:
•
•
School ICT systems will be managed in ways that ensure that the school meets the e-safety technical requirements
outlined in this Policy and Acceptable Usage Policy and any relevant Local Authority E-Safety Policy and guidance
There will be regular reviews and audits of the safety and security of school ICT systems
•
•
Servers, wireless systems and cabling must be securely located and physical access restricted
All users will have clearly defined access rights to school ICT systems.
•
•
•
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All users will be provided with a username and password by the E-Safety Coordinator who will keep an
up to date record of users and their usernames.
The “master / administrator” passwords for the school ICT system, used by the Network Manager must
also be available to the Headteacher or other nominated senior leader and kept in a secure place
Users will be made responsible for the security of their username and password, must not allow other
users to access the systems using their log on details and must immediately report any suspicion or
evidence that there has been a breach of security.
The Headteacher, E-Safety Coordinator and School ICT technical support staff regularly monitor and
record the activity of users on the school ICT systems and users are made aware of this in the
Acceptable Use Policy.
An agreed policy is in place for the provision of temporary access of “guests” (eg trainee teachers,
visitors) onto the school system.
All computers have a Hector icon which provides a safe screen to cover content children may come in to
contact with that makes them feel uncomfortable. Pupils are taught to use this and make the teacher
aware of what has happened immediately. This is used as a learning opportunity to help all users
understand the ongoing process of staying safe online.
6. Curriculum
E-safety should be a focus in all areas of the curriculum and staff should reinforce e-safety messages in the
use of ICT across the curriculum.
• In lessons where internet use is pre-planned, it is best practice that pupils should be guided to sites checked
as suitable for their use and that processes are in place for dealing with any unsuitable material that is found
in internet searches.
• Where pupils are allowed to freely search the internet, eg using search engines, staff should be vigilant in
monitoring the content of the websites the young people visit.
• Students should be taught in all lessons to be critically aware of the materials / content they access on-line
and be guided to validate the accuracy of information
• Pupils should be taught to acknowledge the source of information used and to respect copyright when using
material accessed on the internet.
7. Use of digital and video images - Photographic, Video
The development of digital imaging technologies has created significant benefits to learning, allowing staff
and pupils instant use of images that they have recorded themselves or downloaded from the internet.
However, staff and pupils need to be aware of the risks associated with sharing images and with posting
digital images on the internet. Those images may remain available on the internet forever and may cause
harm or embarrassment to individuals in the short or longer term. There are many reported incidents of
employers carrying out internet searches for information about potential and existing employees. The school
will inform and educate users about these risks and will implement policies to reduce the likelihood of the
potential for harm:
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•
•
•
•
•
When using digital images, staff should inform and educate pupils about the risks associated with the
taking, use, sharing, publication and distribution of images. In particular they should recognise the risks
attached to publishing their own images on the internet eg on social networking sites.
Staff are allowed to take digital / video images to support educational aims, but must follow school
policies concerning the sharing, distribution and publication of those images. Those images should only
be taken on school equipment, the personal equipment of staff should not be used for such
purposes.
Care should be taken when taking digital / video images that pupils are appropriately dressed and are not
participating in activities that might bring the individuals or the school into disrepute.
Pupils must not take, use, share, publish or distribute images of others without their permission.
Photographs published on the website, or elsewhere that include pupils will be selected carefully and will
comply with good practice guidance on the use of such images.
Pupils’ full names will not be used anywhere on a website or blog in association with photographs.
•
•
Written permission from parents or carers will be obtained before photographs of pupils are published on
the school website
Parents, carers and visitors to the school may only take photographs and video on school premises when
invited to do so by a member of staff.
8. Data Protection
Personal data will be recorded, processed, transferred and made available according to the Data Protection
Act 1998 which states that personal data must be:
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•
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fairly and lawfully processed
processed for limited purposes
adequate, relevant and not excessive
accurate
kept no longer than is necessary
processed in accordance with the data subject’s rights
secure
only transferred to others with adequate protection.
Staff must ensure that they:
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•
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at all times take care to ensure the safe keeping of personal data, minimising the risk of its loss or
misuse.
use personal data only on secure password protected computers and other devices, ensuring that they
are properly “logged-off” at the end of any session in which they are using personal data.
transfer data using only school devices, personal data of children should not be taken outside of the
school.
9. Communications
When using communication technologies the school considers the following as good practice:
• The official school email service may be regarded as safe and secure and is monitored
• Users need to be aware that email communications may be monitored
• Users must immediately report, to the nominated person – in accordance with the school policy, the
receipt of any email that makes them feel uncomfortable, is offensive, threatening or bullying in nature
and must not respond to any such email.
•
Any digital communication between staff and pupils or parents / carers (email, chat etc) must be
professional in tone and content. These communications may only take place on official (monitored)
school systems. Personal email addresses, text messaging or public chat / social networking
programmes must not be used for these communications.
•
Pupils should be taught about email safety issues, such as the risks attached to the use of personal
details. They should also be taught strategies to deal with inappropriate emails and be reminded of the
need to write emails clearly and correctly and not include any unsuitable or abusive material.
•
Personal information should not be posted on the school website and only official email addresses should
be used to identify members of staff.
Please read the policy for staff - the use of social networking sites.
A wide range of rapidly developing communications technologies has the potential to enhance learning. The
following table shows how the school currently considers the benefit of using these technologies for
education outweighs their risks / disadvantages:
Not allowed
staff
Allowed with
permission
certain
at
Allowed
times
x
x
x
x
x
Taking photos on mobile phones or other nonschool camera devices
Use of hand held devices eg PDAs, PSPs
Allowed
x
Use of mobile phones in lessons
Use of mobile phones in social time
Pupils
Not allowed
x
Allowed for selected
staff
Mobile phones may be brought to school
Allowed
times
Communication Technologies
Allowed
at
certain
Staff & other adults
x
x
x
Use of personal email addresses on the school
network
x
x
Use of school email for personal emails
x
x
Use of social networking sites during school
time(*Denotes use of school’s site, e.g. Twitter)
Use of personal accounts on social networking
sites via the school network
x*
x
x
x
10.Unsuitable / inappropriate activities
Users shall not visit
Internet sites, make, post,
download, upload, data
transfer, communicate or
pass
on,
material,
remarks, proposals or
comments that contain or
relate to:
Unacceptable
and illegal
Unacceptable
Acceptable
for nominated
users
User Actions
Acceptable at
certain times
Acceptable
The school believes that the activities referred to in the following section would be inappropriate in a school
context and that users, as defined below, should not engage in these activities in school or outside school
when using school equipment or systems. The school policy restricts certain internet usage as follows:
child sexual abuse images
X
promotion or conduct of illegal acts, eg under the
child protection, obscenity, computer misuse and
fraud legislation
X
adult material that potentially breaches the Obscene
Publications Act in the UK
X
criminally racist material in UK
X
pornography
X
promotion of any kind of discrimination
X
promotion of racial or religious hatred
X
threatening behaviour, including
physical violence or mental harm
promotion
of
X
any other information which may be offensive to
colleagues or breaches the integrity of the ethos of
the school or brings the school into disrepute
X
Using school systems to run a private business
X
Use systems, applications, websites or other mechanisms that bypass the filtering or
other safeguards employed by SWGfL and / or the school
X
Uploading, downloading or transmitting commercial software or any copyrighted materials
belonging to third parties, without the necessary licensing permissions
X
Revealing or publicising confidential or proprietary information (eg financial / personal
information, databases, computer / network access codes and passwords)
X
Creating or propagating computer viruses or other harmful files
X
Carrying out sustained or instantaneous high volume network traffic (downloading /
uploading files) that causes network congestion and hinders others in their use of the
internet
X
On-line gaming (educational)
X
On-line gaming (non educational)
X
On-line gambling
X
On-line shopping / commerce for school related purchases
X
File sharing
X
Use of social networking sites
X
Use of video broadcasting egYoutube
X
11. Responding to incidents of misuse
It is hoped that all members of the school community will be responsible users of ICT, who understand and
follow this policy. However, there may be times when infringements of the policy could take place, through
careless or irresponsible or, very rarely, through deliberate misuse. Listed below are the responses that will
be made to any apparent or actual incidents of misuse:
If any apparent or actual misuse appears to involve illegal activity ie.
• child sexual abuse images
• adult material which potentially breaches the Obscene Publications Act
• criminally racist material
• other criminal conduct, activity or materials
12. Review
The governing body reviews this policy every two years. They governors may, however, review the policy
earlier than this, if the government introduces new regulations, or if the governing body receives
recommendations on how the policy might be improved.
Signed:
Date:
Date for review: February 2016
Appendix 1 – Pupil Acceptable Use Policy
School Policy
New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both
within schools and in their lives outside school. The internet and other digital information and
communications technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. These
technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and stimulate awareness of context to promote
effective learning. Young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times.
Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
I understand that I must use school 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:
•
•
•
•
I undertstand that school will monitor my ICT use
I will not share my log in details and I will only use my own to access the school system
I will tell an adult or teacher in my class immediately if I find something online that upsets me or
makes me feel uncomfortable and use the Hector button to cover the screen to prevent further
upset.
I will not use the internet to communicate with people I do not know
I will act as I expect others to act toward me:
•
•
•
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 polite and responsible when I communicate with others
I will not take or distribute images of anyone without their permission.
I recognise that the school has a responsibility to maintain the security and integrity of the technology it
offers me and to ensure the smooth running of the school:
•
•
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I understand that I am not allowed to bring technology in to school unless permission has been granted by
my class teacher. I am aware that mobile phones need to be handed in to the school office and that they are
locked away until the end of the school day.
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
I will not install or attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine, or store programmes on a
computer, or try to alter computer settings.
I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of school:
•
•
I understand that the school also has the right to take action against me if I am involved in incidents of
inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when I am out of school and where they involve
my membership of the school community.
I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, School will take action. This
may include loss of access to the school network / internet and other sanctions in line with school’s behaviour
policy.
Pupil Acceptable Use Agreement Form
Name of Pupil: _______________________________
Class: ______________________________________
Signed:______________________________________
Date: ________
Parent/Carer Signature: _________________________
Date:________
Appendix 2 – Staff and Volunteer Acceptable Use Policy
School Policy
New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both
within schools and in their lives outside school. The internet and other digital information and
communications technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. These
technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and stimulate awareness of context to promote
effective learning. They also bring opportunities for staff to be more creative and productive in their work. All
users should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times.
The school will try to ensure that staff and volunteers will have good access to ICT to enhance their work, to
enhance learning opportunities for pupils learning and will, in return, expect staff and volunteers to agree to
be responsible users.
Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
I understand that I must use school 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. I recognise the value of the use of
ICT for enhancing learning and will ensure that students / pupils receive opportunities to gain from the use of
ICT. I will, where possible, educate the young people in my care in the safe use of ICT and embed e-safety
in my work with young people.
For my professional and personal safety:
•
•
•
•
•
I understand that the school will monitor my use of the ICT systems, email and other digital
communications.
I understand that the rules set out in this agreement also apply to use of school ICT systems (eg laptops,
email, VLEs etc) out of school.
I understand that the school ICT systems are primarily intended for educational use and that I will only
use the systems for personal or recreational use within the policies and rules set down by the school.
I will not disclose my username or password to anyone else, nor will I try to use any other person’s
username and password.
I will immediately report any illegal, inappropriate or harmful material or incident I become aware of, to the
appropriate person.
I will, at all times, be professional in my communications and actions when using school ICT systems:
•
•
•
•
•
•
I will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without their express permission.
I will communicate with others in a professional manner, I will not use aggressive or inappropriate
language and I appreciate that others may have different opinions.
I will ensure that when I take and / or publish images of others I will do so with their permission and in
accordance with the school’s policy on the use of digital / video images. I will not use my personal
equipment to record these images, unless I have permission to do so. Where these images are published
(eg on the school website / VLE) it will not be possible to identify by name, or other personal information,
those who are featured.
I will only communicate with pupils and parents/carers using official school systems in line with our school
Social Networking Policy.
I will act in a professional manner online at all times when communicating with parents/carers and the
local community as a representative of the school, including on Social Networks.
I will not engage in any on-line activity that may compromise my professional responsibilities.
The school and the local authority have the responsibility to provide safe and secure access to
technologies and ensure the smooth running of the school:
•
•
I will only use my personal hand held / external devices (PDAs / laptops / mobile phones / USB devices
etc) in secure designated areas away from children i.e. the staffroom or after the school day but not when
children are present.
I will not use personal email addresses on the school ICT systems.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
I will not open any attachments to emails, unless the source is known and trusted, due to the risk of the
attachment containing viruses or other harmful programmes.
I will not try to upload, download or access any materials which are illegal (child sexual abuse images,
criminally racist material, adult pornography covered by the Obscene Publications Act) or inappropriate or
may cause harm or distress to others. I will not try to use any programmes or software that might allow
me to bypass the filtering / security systems in place to prevent access to such materials.
I will not try (unless I have permission) to make large downloads or uploads that might take up internet
capacity and prevent other users from being able to carry out their work.
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 this is allowed in school policies.
I will not disable or cause any damage to school equipment, or the equipment belonging to others.
I understand that data protection policy requires that any staff or student/pupil data to which I have
access, will be kept private and confidential, except when it is deemed necessary that I am required by
law or by school policy to disclose such information to an appropriate authority.
I will immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have
happened.
I understand that I am responsible for my actions in and out of school:
•
•
I understand that this Acceptable Use Policy applies not only to my work and use of school ICT
equipment in school, but also applies to my use of school ICT systems and equipment out of school and
my use of personal equipment in school or in situations related to my employment by the school.
I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, I could be subject to
disciplinary action.
I have read and understand the above and agree to use the school ICT systems (both in and out of
school) and my own devices (in school and when carrying out communications related to the
school) within these guidelines.
Staff / Volunteer Name: ________________________________________________________
Signed: _____________________________________
Date: ____________________
Appendix 3 – Parent/Carer Acceptable Use Policy
New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both
within schools and in their lives outside school. The internet and other digital information and
communications technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. These
technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and stimulate awareness of context to promote
effective learning. Young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times.
This Acceptable Use Policy is intended to ensure:
•
•
•
that young people will be responsible users and stay safe while using the internet and other
communications technologies for educational, personal and recreational use.
that school ICT systems and users are protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the
security of the systems and users at risk.
that parents and carers are aware of the importance of e-safety and are involved in the education and
guidance of young people with regard to their on-line behaviour.
The school will try to ensure that pupils will have good access to ICT to enhance their learning and will, in
return, expect the pupils to agree to be responsible users. A copy of the Pupil Acceptable Use Policy is
attached to this permission form, so that parents / carers will be aware of the school expectations of the young
people in their care.
Parents are requested to sign the permission form below to show their support of the school in this important
aspect of the school’s work.
Permission Form
Parent / Carers Name
Pupil Name
As the parent / carer of the above pupils, I give permission for my son(s) / daughter(s) to have access
to the internet and to ICT systems at school.
I know that my son(s) / daughter(s) has signed an Acceptable Use Agreement and has received, or
will receive, e-safety education to help them understand the importance of safe use of ICT – both in
and out of school.
I understand that the school will take every reasonable precaution, including monitoring and filtering
systems, to ensure that young people will be safe when they use the internet and ICT systems. I also
understand that the school cannot ultimately be held responsible for the nature and content of
materials accessed on the internet and using mobile technologies.
I understand that my son’s / daughter’s activity on the ICT systems will be monitored and that the
school will contact me if they have concerns about any possible breaches of the Acceptable Use
Policy.
I will encourage my child(ren) to adopt safe use of the internet and digital technologies at home and
will inform the school if I have concerns over my child’s e-safety.
I Understand that there may be children within the school who cannot legally be photographed or
filmed for child protection reasons and I agree not to take photographs or film while on school
premises.
Signed: (Parent/carer 1) _______________________
Date: ___________
Signed: (Parent/carer 2) _______________________
Date: ___________
Appendix 4 – School Passwords Policy
Introduction
The school will be responsible for ensuring that the school network is as safe and secure as is reasonably
possible and that:
• users can only access data to which they have right of access
•
•
no user should be able to access another’s files, without permission (or as allowed for monitoring
purposes within the school’s policies).
access to personal data is securely controlled in line with the school’s personal data policy
•
logs are maintained of access by users and of their actions while users of the system
A safe and secure username / password system is essential if the above is to be established and will apply
to all school ICT systems, including email and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Responsibilities
The management of the password security policy will be the responsibility of the ICT/E-safety Coordinator.
All users (adults and young people) will have responsibility for the security of their username and password,
must not allow other users to access the systems using their log on details and must immediately report any
suspicion or evidence that there has been a breach of security
Passwords for new users, and replacement passwords for existing users can be allocated by DataCable.
Any changes carried out must be notified to the manager of the password security policy (above).
Training / Awareness
It is essential that users should be made aware of the need for keeping passwords secure, and the risks
attached to unauthorised access / data loss.
Members of staff will be made aware of the school’s password policy:
• at induction
• through the school’s e-safety policy and password security policy
•
through the Acceptable Use Agreement
Pupils will be made aware of the school’s password policy:
• in ICT and / or e-safety lessons (the school should describe how this will take place)
•
through the Acceptable Use Agreement
Policy Statements
All users will have clearly defined access rights to school ICT systems. Details of the access rights available
to groups of users will be recorded by the Data Cable and will be reviewed, at least annually, by the E-Safety
Committee.
All users will be provided with a username and password by Data Cable who will keep an up to date record
of users and their usernames.
The following rules apply to the use of passwords:
• the account should be “locked out” following six successive incorrect log-on attempts
• temporary passwords e.g. used with new user accounts or when users have forgotten their passwords,
shall be enforced to change immediately upon the next account log-on
• passwords shall not be displayed on screen, and shall be securely hashed (use of one-way encryption)
The “master/administrator” passwords for the school ICT system, used by the Network Manager (or other
person) must also be available to the Headteacher and ICT Coordinator to be stored in a secure place.