New Charter Academy

Acceptable Use Policy – ICT, E-mail and Internet

Introduction

1       ICT Systems

1.     All students are expected to use the hardware and software provided with care and respect.

2.     Students will be allocated a username and password for the Academy ICT systems. They must keep their password secret and only use their own username and password to access the Academy network.

3.    Students will not attempt to make any changes to the set-up and configuration of the Academy PCs or to install any software either from CD, Diskette, USB Flash Drive or via the Internet.

4.     Only computers (including portables) owned and supported by the Academy can be used to access the Academy’s ICT systems.

2       Use of the Internet

1.    The Academy will, as far as possible, provide adults competent in using the Internet to supervise student Internet sessions and, where appropriate, will monitor and record this usage.

2.     Internet use within the Academy will be driven by clear learning intentions that are set in the context of well framed tasks.

3.     By default, access to social networking sites will not be permitted.

4.     Students should not give out any personal details over the Internet except where specifically approved (e.g. joint projects).

5.    Students receiving questionable materials must report this immediately to the teacher or a member of the ICT Team.

3       Use of E-Mail

Students will use their Academy e-mail account sensibly and responsibly. The account will be used for educational purposes and to disseminate information from the Academy and teachers to students.

4.      Unacceptable Usage of ICT, Internet and E-Mail facilities

The following actions are considered unacceptable.

1.   Accessing, creating, transmitting, or publishing: any offensive, obnoxious, obscene or indecent messages, images, sounds, data or other material;

2.   Creating, transmitting or publishing defamatory, violent or abusive material or any material which is likely to cause offence, inconvenience or needless anxiety to others.

3.   Deliberate unauthorised access to facilities, services, data or resources within the Academy or any other network or service accessible via the Internet.

4.   Deliberate activities that would result in:

·         wasting staff or other users’ efforts or network resources, including time on remote systems and the efforts of staff involved in the support of those systems;

·         corrupting or destroying other users’ data or violating the privacy of other users;

·         disrupting the work of other users;

·         using the Academy network or Internet in a way that denies service to other users (for example, by overloading the connection to the network by unnecessarily, excessively and thoughtlessly downloading large image, video or audio files);

·         continuing to use any item of software after being requested to cease its use because it is disrupting the correct functioning of the Academy’s network or the Internet (for example, utilities designed to broadcast network-wide messages);

·         the introduction of any unauthorised software including viruses.

·         using / attempting to use any means to bye pass the Academy’s security

5.   Any use of E-Mail or the Internet that would be embarrassing to any individual or the Academy.

6.   Accessing, creating, transmitting, or publishing any material of a racist nature.

5.       The Academy’s Position

The Academy reserves the right to monitor all PC, E-mail and Internet use and the content of personal network drives and  web space. All E-mail sent or received by a student and content held within the personal web space may be monitored and reviewed and unacceptable content removed without notice. PC and Internet use (at the Academy) will be controlled by a filter limiting the types of site students can visit, and will be monitored with regular checks.

Students should be aware that all E-mails and Internet messages sent or received on Academy systems are the responsibility of the Academy and the Academy can be held vicariously liable for certain E-mails/Internet messages that users send.

The Academy will undertake to keep its anti-virus software up to date to ensure that activities are not disrupted by the malevolent actions of others.

Improper use of E-mails, Internet and/or personal web space will result in appropriate disciplinary action. Defamatory E-mails can result in legal action against the individual.

6.      The Student’s Position

Logging on to the network is seen as an acceptance of the Academy’s acceptable use policy. Any misuse of Academy’s computers or computer facilities could result in internet access being withdrawn and or your account being disabled or any other sanction that the Academy Governors deem appropriate.