Internet
The Importance of Computer Access in Learning in Schools
The purpose of computer access, which includes Internet access in school, is to raise
educational standards, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s
management information and business administration systems. Access to the computer
system is a necessary tool for staff and students. It is an entitlement for students who show a
responsible and mature approach.
The Benefits to the School of Computer Use
• Access to worldwide educational resources including museums and art galleries.
• Inclusion in government initiatives such as NGfL and the Virtual Teacher Centre.
• Information and cultural exchanges between students world-wide.
• Cultural, social and leisure use in libraries, youth clubs and at home.
• Discussion with experts in many fields for students and staff.
• Staff professional development - access to educational materials and good
• curriculum practice.
• Communication with the advisory and support services, professional associations
• and colleagues, improved access to technical support.
• Exchange of curriculum and administration data with the LEA and DfEE.
The Use of the Internet to Provide Effective Learning
• Internet access will be purchased from Azzuri, an organisation that provides a
service designed for students, under the guidance and acceptance from East Riding
Council.
• This includes appropriate filtering. To further secure the schools filtering any web
searches will go through www.schoolgrid.net.
• Internet access will be planned to enrich and extend learning activities.
• Access levels will be reviewed to reflect the curriculum requirement.
• Students will be given clear objectives for Internet use.
• Staff will select sites that will support the learning outcomes planned for students'
age and maturity.
• Students will be educated in taking responsibility for Internet access.
Teaching Students to Assess Internet Content
• Students will be taught ways to validate information before accepting that it is necessarily true.
• Students will be taught to acknowledge the source of information and observe
• copyright when using Internet material for their own use.
• Students will be made aware that the writer of an e-mail or the author of a Web
• page might not be the person claimed.
• Students will be encouraged to tell a teacher immediately if they encounter any
• material that makes them feel uncomfortable.
The Use of Other Internet Applications Available
• Students will not be allowed to access public chat rooms.
• New facilities will be thoroughly tested before students are given access.
• Students will not be provided personal email addresses, but will be taught how to use
email and the safety rules of using email within the curriculum.
The Authorisation of Computer Access
• Computer access is an entitlement for students based on responsible use.
• Parents will be informed that students will be provided with computer access
• which will include access to the Internet.
• Parents will be asked to sign and return a permission form.
• Students must apply for computer access, which includes access to the Internet,
• by signing the Acceptable Use Policy, countersigned by a parent.
• A record will be maintained of all staff and students with computer access.
• Staff and students will be removed from the record when access is withdrawn / or
leave the school.
The Assessment of Risks on the Internet
• In common with other media such as magazines, books and video, some material
available via the Internet is unsuitable for students. The school will supervise students
and take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate
material. However, due to the international scale and linked nature of information
available via the Internet, it is not possible to guarantee that unsuitable material will
never appear on a terminal. Neither the school nor East Riding Council can accept
liability for the material accessed, or any consequences thereof, but as many safety
steps as possible are taken to prevent this happening.
• The use of computer systems without permission or for purposes not agreed by
• the school could constitute a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act
• 1990.
• Methods to identify, assess and minimise risks will be reviewed.
• Staff, parents, governors and advisers will work to establish agreement that every
reasonable measure is being taken. • The Headteacher and ICT co-ordinator will ensure that the policy is implemented
effectively.
Ensuring Internet Access is Safe on the School System
• Students will be informed that Internet use will be supervised and monitored.
• The school will work in partnership with parents, the LEA, DfEE and the Internet
• Service Provider to ensure systems to protect students are reviewed and
• improved.
• Senior staff / Learning Resource Manager will ensure that occasional checks are
made to ensure that the filtering methods selected are effective in practice.
• If staff or students discover unsuitable sites, the URL (address) and content will
• be reported to the Internet Service Provider via the Learning Resource Manager.
• Any material that the school suspects is illegal will be referred to the Internet
• Watch Foundation.
• Where minority languages are involved, appropriate measures will be taken to
• ensure the processes to protect students are adequate.
Maintaining Security on the School’s ICT Systems
The Internet is a new connection to the outside world that could compromise system
performance or threaten security.
• Security strategies will be discussed with the LEA and Azzuri.
• The HLTA ICT technician will ensure that the system has the capacity to
• take increased traffic caused by Internet use.
• The security of the whole system will be reviewed with regard to threats to
• security from Internet access.
• Virus protection will be installed and updated regularly.
• Use of floppy disks / USB Flash Drives will be reviewed periodically.
• Use of e-mail to send attachments such as system utilities will be reviewed
• periodically.
The Complaints / Discipline Procedure about Computer Access and Use
• Responsibility for handling incidents lies with senior members of staff.
• Parents and students will need to work in partnership with staff to resolve issues.
Pupils will not be permitted to:
• Playing of Non educational violent or unsuitable games on school computers.
• Surfing the internet for in appropriate materials.
• Downloading and installing offensive materials / applications e.g.
• spyware, key loggers, hacking tools, music files / games etc to the
• school system.
Staff and Student Consultation about the use of the Computers
• All staff including teachers, supply staff, classroom assistants and support staff, • will be provided with the Computer and Internet Access Policy, and its importance
explained.
• Parents' attention will be drawn to the Policy in newsletters.
• Teaching of responsible computer and Internet use is included in IT lessons
covering both school and home use.
Unlawful and Illegal Use
As users of the School Internet system you agree not to use the service to send or receive
materials or data, which is:
• In Violation of any law or regulation
• Which is defamatory, offensive, abusive, indecent, and obscene.
• Which constitutes harassment.
• Is in breech of confidence, privacy, trade secrets.
• Is in breech of any third party Intellectual Property rights (including copyright)
• Is in breech of any other rights or has any fraudulent purpose of effect.
Users are prohibited from storing, distributing or transmitting of any unlawful material
through the service.
Filming and Photographing
Children may within school be recorded during performances and photographs taken of
children during the school day as a record of their achievements and for the use of child
records.
No photographs or video footage of children will be used for public viewing without the
permission of each child’s parent or guardians permission.
Names will not be displayed in published materials in accordance with current legislation.
Relevant Legislation.
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
• Computer Misuse Act 1990
• Protection From Harassment Act 1997
• Sex Discrimination Act 1975
• Race Relations Act 1976
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• Obscene Publications Act 1959
• Telecommunications Act 1984
• Protection of Children Act 1978
• Criminal Justice Act 1988
• Data Protection Act 1998
• The Patents Act 1977
• Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988
• Defamation Act 1996
• Freedom of Information Act 2000
• Human Rights Act 1998.
