Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP)

School: Caherleaheen NS

Introduction

The internet is a valuable teaching and learning tool. It provides information and allows people to communicate with others and share information. It can develop children’s independent research skills and promote life-long learning. However, the internet can also present several risks for children and therefore these guidelines along with national filtering of content provided by the National Centre of Technology and Education (N.C.T.E.) will be followed when using the internet in school. This policy should be read in conjunction with the school’s Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Behaviour Policy and Mobile Phone Policy.

 

Aim

The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s internet enabled resources in a safe and effective manner. 

 

I.C.T. Resources

The school is equipped with 15 Android tablets, 19 PCs and 9 Teaching laptops connected to Interactive Whiteboards.

 

Pupils’ use of the Internet

Pupils are responsible for their own good behaviour on the internet. Access to the internet may be withdrawn from pupils who fail to maintain acceptable standards of use. Internet access in the school includes a filtering service to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material. However, no filtering service is completely failproof and therefore pupils will be supervised during the use of the internet.

 

Staff will ensure to the maximum extent possible, that pupils know and understand that no internet user is permitted to:

• Use the internet for any illegal activity including accessing other computers.
• Retrieve, send, copy or display offensive messages or pictures.
• Use obscene or offensive language.
• Cause damage to computers, computer systems or networks.
• Violate copyright laws.
• Disclose or publicise their own or another person’s personal information.
• Use another user’s password.
• Trespass in another user’s folders, work or files.
• Cause any form of vandalism to the machine or the work of others including the uploading or creation of viruses.

 

Organisation and Management of Internet Use

Teachers will select sites which will support pupils’ learning. Pupils may be given details of suitable sites to extend their learning at home as and when appropriate.

 

Content Filtering

Content filtering is an essential and integrated element of the broadband service that is provided to schools by the Schools Broadband Programme of the NCTE. The purpose of content filtering is to ensure that inappropriate websites and content are not accessible from within schools on any wi-fi enabled device. Within the content filtering service provided, schools are given a choice of six different levels of content filtering so that they can choose a level that best meets their situation, age group of students etc. Caherleaheen’s broadband is filtered at Level 4.

This level allows access to the same websites as Level 3, but allows access to ‘YouTube’, which has become widely used in schools for teaching and learning in the last few years. Websites are put into categories, which in turn are divided across the six filtering levels. Access to a website depends upon its category, and the filtering level for which the school has applied. Level 4 blocks various categorised websites and blocks access to websites belonging to the ‘personal websites’ category and websites such as Facebook belonging to the ‘Social Networking’ category.

 

Promoting Safe and Independent Use of the Internet

Internet access will be supervised. Teachers will ensure that pupils understand appropriate use of the internet and are aware of the rules. Pupils will be regularly encouraged to tell a teacher immediately if they encounter any material that makes them feel uncomfortable. Teachers will use webwise.ie and similar sites to keep abreast with current developments in Internet Safety. External advisers will be employed biannually to communicate the best and safest practice for children, parents and the general community, not just in school but also outside of school.

 

Children’s Use of Email 

Children in school must only use email for educational purposes and e-mails will be checked before being sent. Pupils will not be allowed to send personal emails from the school system without permission. In-coming email will be regarded as public and may be examined by any staff member. The use of chat rooms, messaging services or social networking sites cannot be accessed at Level 4 Content Filtering.

 

Inappropriate Usage 

Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school’s AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

Such sanctions may include but are not limited to

• Written warning
• Temporary withdrawal of access privileges
• In extreme cases, suspension or exclusion

The school will be obliged to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

 

Staff Use of Email, the Internet and Wi-Fi

Members of staff are encouraged to use various online resources in their teaching and learning activities, to conduct research, and for contact with others.

• The use of email for personal use is acceptable outside of teaching hours.
• When using the internet, all users must comply with all copyright, libel, fraud, discrimination and obscenity laws.
• School printers may be used to print downloaded materials associated with school activities.
• All users are expected to communicate in a professional manner.
• It will not be usual practice to read staff emails, but the school reserves the right to do this in the case of a suspected breach of these policy guidelines.
• A serious breach may be treated as a disciplinary matter.
• No person will in any way alter the filtering preferences.
• The school will be obliged to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.