Internet Use and Website Policy
PURPOSE
The Benefits of the Internet
How will Internet use enhance learning?
Internet Security
The School Website
PURPOSE
The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school's management information and business administration systems. Internet use is a part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils. Internet access is an entitlement for pupils who show a responsible and mature approach to its use. The Internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. Back to topThe Benefits of the Internet
The use of Internet provides children and adults with opportunities to do and see things that may otherwise be incredibly difficult. For example interactive/virtual activities.It offers:
? access to world-wide educational resources including museums and art galleries
and web based software i.e. espresso
? educational and cultural exchanges between pupils world-wide;
? cultural, vocational, social and leisure use in libraries, clubs and at home;
? access to experts in many fields for pupils and staff;
? staff professional development through access to national developments,
educational materials and good curriculum practice;
? communication with support services, professional associations and colleagues;
? exchange of curriculum and administration data with the LEA and DfES. Back to top
How will Internet use enhance learning?
Increased computer numbers or improved Internet access may be provided but effective use and quality of learning must also be addressed. Developing good practice in Internet use as a tool for teaching and learning is clearly essential. Staff should guide pupils in on-line activities that will support the learning outcomes planned for the pupils? age and maturity. Often the quantity of information needs to be cut down and staff guide pupils to appropriate Web sites, by publishing lists on the school website and to parents through news letters, target sheets, and parent meetings and by including them in year group Favourites. Internet access will be planned to enrich and extend learning activities. 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. Back to topPupils must not reveal details of themselves or others in e mail communication, such as address or telephone number, or arrange to meet anyone.
Whole-class / group e-mail addresses are used at Key Stage 2 Back to top
Internet Security
Ideally inappropriate material would not be visible to pupils using the Web but this is not easy to achieve and cannot be guaranteed. It is a sad fact that pupils may occasionally be confronted with inappropriate material, despite all attempts at filtering. Pupils should be taught what to do if they experience material that they find distasteful, uncomfortable or threatening. For example: to close the page and report the URL to the ICT team for inclusion in the list of blocked sites.Pupils will not be allowed access to public or unregulated chat rooms.
In common with other media such as magazines, books and video, some material available via the Internet is unsuitable for pupils. The school will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate 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 school computer. Neither the school nor BMBC can accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences of Internet access.
Virus protection is installed and updated automatically. Inappropriate websites are locked and inaccessible at an authority level.
Should parents object to their children having Internet and email access they will be given the opportunity to opt out on an annual basis when pupils contact details are checked and updated. Should this arise, individual parents will be spoken to in order highlight their concerns and resolve possible misconceptions and fears. The ICT team will keep a log of those children who are denied access, and pass the details onto the relevant teachers / staff, who will ensure that those children do not have independent access to the internet.
The school works in partnership with parents; the LEA, DfES and the Internet Service Provider to ensure systems to protect pupils are reviewed and improved. If staff or pupils discover unsuitable sites, the URL (address) and content must be reported to the BMBC IT support via the ICT co-ordinator. BMBC IT support ensures that regular checks are made to ensure that the filtering methods selected are appropriate, effective and reasonable. Children need to be responsible for their own Internet use and should understand what is appropriate use. This will be reinforced by staff on a regular Back to top
The School Website
The school web site celebrates pupils' work, promotes the school and publishes resources for homework.The point of contact on the Web site is the school address, school e-mail and telephone number. Staff or pupils? home information will not be published.
Web site photographs that include pupils will be selected carefully and will not enable individual pupils to be clearly identified unless written permission has been granted. Written permission from parents or carers will be obtained before clear images of pupils are published on the school Web site.
JU, NS and LR will take overall editorial responsibility and ensure that content is accurate and appropriate. The copyright of all material must be held by the school, or be attributed to the owner where permission to reproduce has been obtained. Back to top