The following checklist contains most of the vital items that are required to keep a school Web site in conformance with legal requirements, NLC policy requirements, child protection guidance and best practice for Web site management.
The school must have in place:
A policy on Web site use including:
 access to server (who, where) including named person(s) responsible for the Web site (the
Webmaster(s)) who will ensure the content is checked regularly (at least weekly) and will have sufficient training to ensure offending items are removed without detriment to the smooth operation of the Web site.
 access privileges for Webmaster, staff, pupils, others
 acceptable use policies for staff, pupils, others
 statement of adherence to copyright regulations
 statement of adherence to data protection policy
 statement of adherence to child protection guidance
 statement of adherence to NLC Internet policy
 All users must have signed the school’s Acceptable Use Policy before being given access to the Web site server.

The school must obtain release forms from pupils allowing their work and images to be published on the Web site (so long as its use conforms to the relevant Acts, policies and guidelines).
 The Web site should be accessible to people with impaired vision and provide a Text Only link to allow them easier access.

The content of the Web site should be updated regularly to ensure that information on it does not become outdated and potentially mislead visitors to the site. Outdated pages should be removed from the site.

The Education Computer Centre to be informed when any issue arises from the use or misuse of the Web site.
The Education Computer Centre will advise the school on all aspects of the creation, design, format and content of the school Web site.
When the Headteacher of the school is satisfied that the Web site conforms to all the above he/she should contact the Education Computer Centre who will request the site be added to the Internet domain name servers allowing it to be seen by the public.

North Lanarkshire Council Education Department
Internet Access Guidelines
Introduction
North Lanarkshire Council Education Department is committed to developing Information and
Communications Technologies in schools and other establishments to promote effective learning and teaching, support staff development and enhance management information systems. Access to the Internet and development of education intranets are regarded as key aspects of the education department’s plans to support the priority strategy of “Raising Achievement for All”.
Statement of Principle
It is important that the Internet service to schools provides a safe and secure environment for all, and therefore all establishments are required to use approved Internet Service Providers who deliver a quality of service which meets the minimum requirements of the Education Department.
Establishments are required to produce and implement an Internet policy document which clearly sets out :
1. Context for Internet use.
2. Aims / Objectives for Internet use.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Acceptable use guidelines.
Responsibilities of all involved in the use of the Internet.
Procedures for monitoring and reviewing use of the Internet.
Procedures for dealing with instances of inappropriate use, content or contact.
Aims
Access to the Internet and the implementation of education intranets at authority, cluster group and establishment level will
 enhance the communication skills of users
 enrich, extend and support the on-going curriculum at all stages
 promote responsible and informed attitudes to global communication, information and services
 enhance communications and management information systems within the Education
Department
 promote the development of learning communities which encourage the principles of lifelong learning
Objectives
It is anticipated that planned access to the Internet will
 promote access to ‘on-line’ learning and teaching resources world - wide, including museums and art galleries
 promote effective partnerships with local schools through e-mail and conference facilities
 promote communication skills in English and foreign languages through e-mail access
 support and extend staff development through access to relevant “virtual teachers’ centres”
 enable schools to participate in the National Grid for Learning and initiatives e.g. New
Opportunities Fund ICT Training for Teachers

Roles, Responsibilities and Procedures
Effective use of the Internet and access to education intranets in a safe and secure environment requires all involved to be aware of the potential of and the dangers in on-line access and that they behave in a responsible manner at all times. It is therefore important that establishments provide staff and pupils with appropriate awareness raising and training through an Internet induction programme before initial access to the Internet.
Furthermore each establishment is required to agree the roles and responsibilities of all involved.
Specifically, the Internet Policy document should identify roles, responsibilities and procedures in relation to

Internet induction training

Internet security, filtering and safe access, including guidelines relating to personal information
 planning appropriate Internet use and curriculum integration
 management of e-mail
 management of publishing on the WWW, including standards of presentation and content
 recording, monitoring and reviewing use of the Internet
 dealing with instances of inappropriate use, content or contact
 compliance with copyright legislation and licence agreements
 computer viruses
 communications with parents and guardians.
Acceptable use
Each establishment is required to produce ‘acceptable use guidelines’ relating to both staff and pupil access to the Internet. The guidelines should be a clear practical statement of the standards, procedures and responsibilities of the user. The guidelines should provide rules which are consistent with the acceptable procedures commonly used on the Internet, including those associated with “netiquette’, and provide a basis for safe and secure on-line access. Specifically the guidelines should include instructions relating to
 login / ID / password procedures (as appropriate)
 non-disclosure of personal information
 unauthorised ‘contacts’
 pornography and other unacceptable content
 logging of Internet access
 file transfer, copyright legislation and viruses
 “Netiquette”

Reporting instances of inappropriate use, content or contact
Consideration should be given to users confirming acceptance of the guidelines by signing an
‘acceptable use agreement’.
Access to the Internet should be regarded as a privilege which may be withdrawn in response to unacceptable use. Instances of serious misuse should be reported to the Education Department.
Communications with Parents / Guardians
Whilst the approval of parents is not required before pupil access to the Internet begins, it is recommended that schools take steps to raise the awareness in parents and guardians of the value of the Internet in learning and teaching, and of the potential dangers which the Internet may present.
Parental support for the ‘Acceptable use Guidelines’ might usefully be linked to signed partnership agreements by individual users and their parents.

General recommendations

All education staff should receive Internet induction training before using the Internet in schools
 All users should sign appropriate ‘Acceptable Use’ documents before initial access to the
Internet

Under no circumstances should pupils of any age or stage access the Internet without professional supervision

Clear policy guidelines relating to roles, responsibilities and procedures must be in place before pupil access to the Internet is initiated.

When you are publishing information on the Website you need to be aware that there are certain rules that must be followed to ensure the school conforms to best practice in Web publishing, the legal requirements for child protection and data protection as well as obeying all the criteria in North Lanarkshire’s Internet Use Policy.
This brief guide gives you some guidance on issues arising when publishing to a Website.
Do

Ask yourself if the information needs to be shared or if there is a more suitable medium (wall display)
Images

Avoid using the first name or last name of individuals in a photograph. This reduces the risk of inappropriate, unsolicited attention from people outside school. An easy rule to remember is: o
If the pupil is named, avoid using their photograph. o If a photograph is used, avoid naming the pupil.

Use group photos rather than photos of individual pupils, where possible.

Only use images of pupils in suitable dress to reduce the risk of inappropriate use.

If you are not sure about using an image then don’t use it.
Video

Avoid referring to pupils by name when making a video sequence.

Use character names rather than real names if possible.
 In credits, consider using the teacher’s name only as a contact. Alternatively, refer to the video as a class project, for example ‘This video was produced by Class 2.6’.
 If you wish to use pupils’ names in credits, use only their first names and do not attribute individuals to specific roles.
Pupils’ Work

Check that the pupil can not be identified from their work (for example phone number or address on letters).

Check that work which contains a digital picture of the pupil does not also contain their name ( Tip: check the name of the file as well).
Don’t
 Don’t use the names of pupils in the filenames of images or videos.
 Don’t publish pupils’ email addresses on the web site.
 Don’t publish school based data, video or images on any website except the school website.
 Don’t use logos from named brands (e.g. Pepsi).
Check

Spelling.

Grammar.

Information being published is accurate.

Copyright on images, video and text.

That external website links are identified and the content checked thoroughly. Remember: website content changes regularly. The page you link to may not be suitable after its next revision.
 Pupil’s parent has signed the “Parental Consent Form for Digital Imaging”.

A school website allows us to communicate with the outside world, providing information for existing pupils and parents and promoting the school to prospective ones. The site can be used to showcase examples of pupils’ work - in words, pictures, sound or movie clips - and can be used to share resources for teaching and learning both within the school and with colleagues elsewhere.
At [NAME OF SCHOOL] we take the issue of child safety very seriously, and this includes the use of websites. Including images/video of pupils on the school website can be motivating for the pupils involved, and provide a good opportunity to promote the work of the school. However, schools have a duty of care towards pupils, which means that pupils must remain unidentifiable, reducing the risk of inappropriate contact, if images/video are used in this way. The senior management team in the school will ensure that appropriate training is given to all staff and pupils on what constitutes appropriate material.
The customised website software being used by the school allows all materials being published to be content checked, before they are approved for display on the Internet. Pupils and staff can create pages and display work but material will only be approved for publication after it is reviewed by an appropriate member of staff.
School website guidelines

All public access materials published on the Internet must be approved by the head of establishment who must ensure adherence to guidelines and quality standards.

Material for public access may be published only on web sites approved by the education department.

The school will avoid using the forename or surname of individuals in a photograph. This reduces the risk of inappropriate, unsolicited attention from people outside school. o If the pupil is named, then the school will avoid using their photograph. o If a photograph is used, then the school will avoid naming the pupil.

The school will use group photos rather than photos of individual pupils, where possible.

The school will only use images of pupils in suitable dress to reduce the risk of inappropriate use.

The school, if not sure about using an image, will not use it.

The school will not use the names of pupils in the filenames of images or videos.

The school will not publish any pupil’s email addresses on the web site.

The school will check that the pupil can not be identified from their published work.

The school will check that pupil work which contains a digital picture of the pupil does not also contain their name.

The school will avoid referring to pupils by name when recording a video for publication.

The school will use character names rather than real names if possible when recording a video.
Data protection and photographs in schools
The Information Commissioner has recently issued good practice guidance on taking photographs and videos in educational institutions. Aimed at LEAs and those working in schools, colleges and universities, the document gives guidance on whether doing so must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. In brief, the guidance states that in many cases the Data Protection Act is unlikely to apply. Examples given are photographs taken for personal use, such as those taken by parents or grandparents at a school play or sports day, and those taken by the media. However, photographs taken for official school use, which are likely to be stored electronically alongside other personal data may be covered by the Act.
Guidance for parents
Many proud parents create websites showcasing their child’s academic or sporting achievements, giving names and details alongside images, perhaps also showing group or team photos. It is important to realise the potential risks to safety for both your own child and other pupils.

ICT Acceptable Use
• I will only access the computer and the school network when given permission by a teacher.
• I will ask permission from a teacher before I use the Internet
• I will not access computer files belonging to others
• I will access the school network using my own password only
• I will access only those computer discs and CDs for which the teacher has given me permission
• I will ensure that any e-mails I send are polite, sensible and responsible
• I will only send e-mails to people I know or who are approved by my teacher. I will not forward chain letters
• I will use my official school e-mail account only to send or receive e-mails
• I will tell a teacher if I see web pages or e-mails which are offensive or unpleasant
• I will ensure that any web pages I create are polite, sensible and responsible
• I understand that the school will check my computer files, e-mails and the
Internet sites which I visit to ensure that I use the computer and the Internet properly.
• I will only download material from the Internet if given permission by a teacher
• I will only copy and use material as allowed by copyright legislation. I will ask my teacher if I am not sure of the legal position
• When using the Internet and sending e-mails I will protect myself and others by not giving my name my home address my home telephone number my photograph any other personal information any information about others
• I will not arrange to meet any on-line contact. I will tell my teacher about any invitations to meet on-line contacts
Pupil Name: .....................................................................
Pupils Signature: ..................................................................... Date .............. ....
Parent's Signature: ..................................................................... Date .................. ....