“Encouraging all to fulfil their potential within a caring Christian environment”

St. David’s Street Neath, SA11 3AA Tel/ Fax: (01639) 769772 Email: [email protected] Web: aldermandavies.co.uk

E-Safety Policy Safe use of the Internet and E-mail This policy outlines our reasons for providing access to the Internet and e-mail facilities at Alderman Davies Church in Wales Primary School and explains how the school is seeking to avoid the potential problems that Internet access could have. The purpose of this policy is to:   



Allow all users at the school to access and use the Internet safely for educational purposes. Establish the ground rules for acceptable use when using the Internet. Explain mechanisms used to ensure pupils are protected from sites information, and individuals that would undermine the principles and aims of the school. Define the reporting procedures should an incident occur.

Introduction Why use the Internet in school? Providing access to the Internet in school will continue to raise educational standards and support the professional work of staff. Teachers and pupils will have access to web sites worldwide, offering educational resources including libraries, art galleries and museums news and current events. There are opportunities for discussion with experts in many fields and to communicate and exchange information with children and others across the world. In addition, staff will have access to educational materials and good curriculum practice, to communicate with advisory and support services, professional associations and colleagues.

1

The school believes that the benefits to pupils from access to the resources of the Internet far exceed the disadvantages. We feel that the best way to minimise the opportunities for inappropriate use of Internet technology lies in a combination of sitefiltering, supervision, rules and regulation and by fostering a responsible attitude in our pupils in partnership with parents. This 'holistic' approach will serve to minimise the risks involved with Internet use. It will enable children and staff to work within a reasonably 'safe' environment. We feel that if the school introduces safeguards as part of an educational process, it will develop a 'culture' for Internet use that will serve children and staff beyond the confines of the school. The Internet will enhance learning: 

 

The school Internet access is designed within a ‘safe garden’. Pupils and staff are restricted in the material they can access, such as social networking sites. However we feel it essential to educate on the safe use of continuing developing technologies as the same safer restrictions do not apply to pupils’ access outside of school. Pupils will be taught what Internet use is acceptable and what is not and given clear objectives for Internet use. Pupils will be educated in the effective use of the Internet in research, including the skills of knowledge location, retrieval and evaluation.

Authorising Internet Access  All staff must read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy for I.C.T. before using any school I.C.T. resource.  The school will maintain a current record of all staff who are granted access to school I.C.T. systems.  Parents will be asked to sign and return an acknowledgement of e-safety policy.  All online access through the school Wi-Fi is restricted within a safe online environment. Whilst we cannot always prevent unsuitable material from being accessed, our filters, education of use of the Internet and supervision of pupils while using search engines tries to prevent this from happening. Assessing Risks  The school will take all reasonable precautions to prevent access to inappropriate 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 computer connected to the school network. Neither the school nor N.P.T.C.B.C. can accept liability for any material accessed or any consequences of Internet access.  The school audits I.C.T. use to establish if the e-safety policy is effective and that the implementation of the e-safety policy is appropriate.

2

Pupil Use of the Internet  

Pupils will only use the Internet under supervision by a designated adult. All software, including computer games, will only be provided by the school.

Introducing e-safety to Pupils 

Pupils will be informed that network and Internet use will be monitored and appropriately followed up.



E-safety training will be embedded within the I.C.T. scheme of work and the Personal Social Education (P.S.E.) curriculum.

Pupils will be taught how to evaluate content   

The school will ensure that the use of Internet derived materials by staff and pupils complies with copyright law. Pupils will be taught the importance of cross-checking information before accepting its accuracy. Pupils will shut down any unsuitable site and report immediately to supervising adult.

E-mail  Pupils may only use approved e-mail accounts on the school system.  Pupils must immediately tell a teacher if they receive an offensive e-mail.  In e-mail or online communication, pupils must not reveal their personal details or those of others, or arrange to meet anyone.  The forwarding of chain letters is not permitted. Videoconferencing and Webcam Use  Videoconferencing and webcam use will be appropriately supervised.

Staff Use of The Internet

All staff (including teachers, learning support assistants, technicians and students) involved in supervising children accessing the Internet, will be provided with the School Internet Access Policy and have its importance explained to them: each staff member must sign the Internet Usage Form. All staff must acknowledge that all network activity is the property of the school and the Authority, and that therefore, no such activity can be considered private. While appropriate use of the Internet is encouraged, staff must be made aware that there are serious legal risks, both to the Authority, Head teacher, governors and to individual members of staff, arising from misuse or as the consequences of actions taken, even legitimately so. Reference: Neath Port Talbot Authority “Media Use” Policy. Connection to the Internet will be provided on the school’s administrative systems via

3

the Corporate Data Network and Web Server, undertaken at the request of school management. Every computer connected to the Internet will have regularly updated virus monitoring software installed. The system used at Alderman Davies Primary School, which minimises misuse and monitors use, is provided by Baglan Information Technology Centre’s Internet Servers Firewall System. The school has undertaken a service agreement with Baglan Information Technology Centre who have filtering and monitoring facilities as part of the agreement. The filtering software can filter out known sites containing unsuitable materials, key words or even flesh tones. However, we realize that this cannot by solely relied upon as a solution and caution is taken at all times. A monitoring system is employed to check Internet usage. Neither the school nor the Local Authority can accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences of Internet access. Teachers can only access the Internet through a series of confidential passwords. The I.C.T. Coordinator must be notified immediately if a pupil discovers a password. Baglan I.C.T. Centre will subsequently be notified and the password changed. The Internet will not be used until the password has been changed. It is recommended that the Internet passwords are changed on a regular basis.

Measures Undertaken To Ensure Safety No child will have access without proper supervision. Pupils are always supervised in their use of the Internet. Pupils and staff must be aware of the seriousness of Internet misuse. A casual supervision approach by staff is not acceptable. Pupils who consistently choose not to comply with the school's 'Computer Code' will be warned, and subsequently will be restricted from access unless sitting with a member of staff. Pupils are properly prepared prior to their use of the Internet. This is done as part of the school's normal learning programs. Induction includes the development of basic Internet skills together with an understanding of the protocols, ethics and dangers. Pupils are made aware that what they read online may not always be accurate. Pupils’ use of the Internet may be greater at home than in school, so pupils will be encouraged to develop well understood and responsible attitudes to the Internet Differing ways of accessing information are deployed, depending on the nature of the material being accessed and the age of the pupils:  Access to the Internet may be by teacher demonstration.  Pupils may be given a suitable web page or a single web site to access.  Pupils may be provided with lists of relevant and suitable web sites which they may access.  Older pupils may be allowed to undertake their own Internet search having agreed a search plan with their teacher.  Pupils should be taught to use Internet Search Engines with care.  Child friendly search engines are recommended and reviewed by the Senior

4



Leaders Team. Teachers should bear in mind that the vast majority of the content of the Internet is written for and by adults. Sites to be accessed by pupils through hyperlinks will be viewed by teachers prior to any pupil search taking place.

No pupil will use an individual e-mail address. Pupils will always communicate through a group address. Teachers will not let pupils make contact with others by e-mail without first checking out the contact. The teacher always makes initial e-mail contacts. Children are taught to adopt the same strategy as they are taught about 'don't talk to strangers'. All unsolicited e-mail messages, especially those with attachments will be regarded as suspicious. These attachments will not be opened. Social networking and chat rooms are forbidden Emerging Technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk assessment will be carried out before use in school is allowed. For example web cam may be used for communication where the initial contact has been made by the teacher. The Head Teacher and staff are responsible for ensuring the implementation of the school E-safety Policy. The Head Teacher, Mrs. Collette Matchett, will ensure that the policy is implemented effectively.

Reporting Procedures

If there is an incident in which a pupil or staff member is exposed to offensive or upsetting material the school will respond to the situation quickly and on a number of levels (see Appendix 1 for further information). 

 

  

Pupils are taught to tell an adult immediately if they encounter any material that makes them feel uncomfortable. The pupils will then be given appropriate support. Parents/carers will be informed by the Head Teacher and given an explanation of the course of action the school has taken. Teachers and learning support assistants should report incidents to the Head Teacher or nominated senior member of staff using the School Information Management System. Any incident must be recorded in the child’s individual file in the School Information Management System. The Head Teacher or nominated senior member of staff will make decisions about reporting incidents to the L.E.A. The L.E.A. will make decisions on whether to pass information onto the police.

5

School Website  

 

Children’s full names will not accompany photographs on the school website or other online space, particularly associated with photographs. Written permission from parents/carers is obtained on admission, allowing the school to publish photos, short film clips, or the written/creative work of their child on the school website or newsletters. At the beginning of a new academic year teachers will check permissions for pupils in their own class. Parents should be clearly informed of the school policy on image taking and publishing, both on school and independent electronic resources. The Headteacher will have an overview of all materials put on to the school website.

Parental Responsibility Parents’ attention will be drawn to the E-Safety Policy on the school website in the first instance. They will be asked to sign a 'contract' which highlights the issues concerned and shared responsibility for Internet usage. Our school policy will be available for parents and others to read on the school website and in the school foyer.

Review Date Reviewed: Autumn Term 2016

6

APPENDIX 1:

Response to an Incident of Concern

A Concern is raised

Refer to school’s designated child protection co-ordinator and/or elearning co-ordinator

Illegal

What type of activity is involved?

Neither

Incident closed(Is counselling or advice required?

Inappropriate Who is involved? Child as instigator

Refer to the Police

Establish level of concern

Yes Take advice from the Police and BITC. If applicable ask the Police to contact BITC directly

Child as victim Establish level of concern

Other children involved? No In-school action: designated CP co-ordinator, head of ICT, senior manager or head teacher

Counselling

Staff as victim Establish level of concern

No

Staff as instigator Establish level of concern

Potential illegal or child protection issues? Yes Take advice from the Police and BITC. If applicable ask the Police to contact BITC directly

Risk assessment

Possible legal action

School disciplinary and child protection procedures. (that may also include parental involvement)

7

Possible legal action