Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Please Note a Signed Copy of This Policy is Available in The Office;
Internet Acceptable Use Policy:
St Laurence O’Toole’s National School
Roundwood,
Co Wicklow.
The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to, this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions ( as outlined in the School’s Discipline Policy ) will be imposed.
It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the AUP regularly. Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood. It is assumed that the parents accept the terms of the AUP unless specifically notified.
This version of the AUP was created on 24th June 2016
by Jane O’Brien and Amanda Smith
School’s Strategy:
The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:
General:
- Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
- Filtering from NCTE will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
- The school will regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage
- Uploading and downloading of non approved software will not be permitted.
- The use of personal CD-ROMS or USB keys in school requires a teacher’s permission.
- All laptops and hardware infrastructure are the property of the school, which are for express school purposes only.
World Wide Web:
The benefits educationally of the WWW to the pupils are vast. However the school recognizes that there is an array of unsuitable and offensive material available too. There is a filter system in place in the school to block access to such sites. Furthermore through educating the children in how to use the Internet appropriately and encouraging the use of this Acceptable Usage Policy in partnership with home and school, it is envisaged that the children will be better prepared for living and working in the Information Technology Age.
This will be achieved in the following ways:
- Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
- Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
- Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
- All or any correspondence can be examined by the teacher or supervisor at any time.
- No Chat Room sessions
- The portal site for the Internet will be Scoilnet.
- Downloads only allowed after permission from a teacher.
- Where possible sites will be previewed by a teacher.
- Internet will not be left running during breaks
- Specific instructions/ tasks will be assigned on WWW rather than browsing aimlessly.
- Use of a ‘Favourites’ folder for regularly visited sites
- Any encounter with information that threatens, demeans or otherwise makes the child uncomfortable will be dealt with appropriately.
- All children will be made aware of these rules and their responsibilities.
- Children will be educated regarding internet safety through webwise.ie
- Students will observe good “netiquette” (i.e. etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
Email:
- Students will use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher.
- Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
- Students will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
- Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the Internet.
- Students will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to permission from their teacher. (Teacher access)
Internet Chat:
- The pupils will not have access to chat rooms.
School Blog: http://roundwoodns.scoilnet.ie/blog
- Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web in accordance with clear policies and approval processes.
- The blog will be checked regularly by the ‘Site Administrator’ to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of pupils or staff.
- The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by the class teacher and published to the school blog on approval by the ‘Site Administrator’.
- The settings for the school blog currently do not allow comments, trackbacks or pingbacks.
- Pupil’s work will appear in an educational context only.
- The school will only use photographs, audio or video clips focusing on group activities. Content focusing on an individual will not be published without written parental permission.
- Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school blog.
- Photographs of pupils will not have any names attached to them or have ALT tags if published on the web
Personal Devices
Students are not permitted to bring their own devices (tablets or phones) in to the classroom. Any such device if brought to school, must be left in the office or with the principal during school hours.
Legislation:
The school will refer to and provide information where necessary on the following legislation in relation to the safe use of the Internet.
Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
Interception Act 1993
Video Recordings Act 1989
The Data Protection Act 1998
Support Structures
The school will endeavor to have support structures in place for the pupils, staff and parents of Roundwood NS.
- Annual internet safety and cyber bullying talks from 3rd to 6th Class.
- Community Gardaí links with the school in relation to internet safety and cyber bullying.
- The school will provide information on support structures that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the internet.
- The school will provide regular internet safety and cyber bullying talks for parents in the school.
- The school will follow the ‘Webwise’ internet safety programme
Sanctions:
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
Review
This policy was reviewed in October 2016 and will be updated in line with department guidelines.