St Michael’s C of E, VC, Nursery and Infant School
See also:
Rules for Responsible Internet Use
Responsible Internet Use agreement
ICT Code of Conduct
Social media and digital photography policy
Policy Consultation & Review
This policy is available on request from the school office. We also inform parents and carers about this policy when their children join our school and they sign the attached agreement.
This policy was last reviewed and agreed by the Governing Body on 6.2.13. It was due for review on 6.2.15 but it has been decided that it should be reviewed annually in view of the fact that IT changes so rapidly.
Signature
Signature
Headteacher
Chair of Governors
Date: 30.04.14
Date: 30.04.14
1 This policy
The Internet use policy relates to other school policies under the behaviour and safeguarding umbrella.
2 Why is Internet use important?
 The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote children’s 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 children.
 The Internet is an essential element in 21 st Century life for education, business and social interaction. The school has a duty to provide children with quality Internet access as part of their learning experience.
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St Michael’s C of E, VC, Nursery and Infant School
3 How does the Internet benefit education?
Benefits of using the Internet in education include:
 access to world-wide educational resources including museums and art galleries
 inclusion in any government initiatives
 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 children 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 LA and DfE.
4 How does Internet use enhance learning?
 Internet access at school is designed expressly for children’s use and includes filtering appropriate to the age of our children.

Children are taught what is acceptable and what is not acceptable and given clear guidance.
 Internet access is planned to enrich and extend learning activities. Access levels are reviewed to reflect curriculum requirements and the age of our children.
 Staff guide children in on-line activities that support the learning outcomes planned for the children’s age and maturity.
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Children are taught how to use the Internet for research, including the skills of knowledge location and retrieval.
5 How do children learn to evaluate Internet content?

Guidance for children is available for parents and children via our website and on the
VLE. All are encouraged to make use of it.
6 How is e-mail be managed?
 Whole-class or group e-mail addresses only are used at Key Stage 1and below.
Individual email addresses function only within the school’s VLE.
7 How is website content managed?
 The point of contact on the website is the school address, school e-mail and telephone number. Staff or children’s home information is not published.
 Web site photographs that include children are chosen carefully and do not identify children by name.
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St Michael’s C of E, VC, Nursery and Infant School
 Children’s full names are not used anywhere on the website, particularly associated with photographs.

Written permission from parents or carers (see appendix) is obtained before photographs of children are published on the school website.

The headteacher takes overall editorial responsibility and ensures web 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.
8 Are newsgroups and chat safe?

Children are not allowed access to public or unregulated chat rooms.
9 How can emerging Internet uses be managed?

Emerging technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk assessment will be carried out before use in school is allowed.
10 How is Internet access be authorised?
 At Key Stage 1, access to the Internet is supervised by class teachers to specific, approved on-line materials.

Parents are informed that children are provided with supervised Internet access (see appendix).
 Parents are asked to sign and return a consent form (see appendix).
11 How are risks assessed?

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. The school cannot accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences of Internet access.
 The use of computer systems without permission or for inappropriate purposes could constitute a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Methods to identify, assess and minimise risks will be reviewed regularly.

The headteacher will ensure that this Internet and Esafety policy is implemented and compliance with the policy monitored.
12 How is filtering managed?
 The school works in partnership with parents, the LA, DfE and the Internet Service
Provider to ensure systems to protect children are reviewed and improved.
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St Michael’s C of E, VC, Nursery and Infant School
 If staff or children discover unsuitable sites, the URL (address) and content must be reported to the Internet Service Provider via ICT Solutions, and to the Headteacher who will take steps to block.

The Headteacher ensures that regular checks are made to ensure that the filtering methods selected are appropriate, effective and reasonable.

Any material that the school believes is illegal must be referred to the Internet Watch
Foundation.
 Filtering strategies are selected by the school in discussion with ICT Solutions. Where possible, the filtering strategy is selected to suit the age and curriculum requirements of the child.
13 How is the policy introduced to children?

Rules for Internet access are introduced when appropriate.
 Children are informed that Internet use is monitored.
14 How are staff consulted?
 All staff must accept the terms of the ICT Code of Conduct before using any Internet resource in school.

All staff including teachers, long term supply staff, teaching assistants and support staff, are informed of the existence of this Internet and Esafety Policy, and its importance explained. A copy is made available on the public area.
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Staff should be aware that Internet traffic can be monitored and traced to the individual user. Discretion and professional conduct is essential.

The monitoring of Internet use is a sensitive matter. Staff who operate monitoring procedures should be supervised by senior management.
 Staff development in the safe and responsible Internet use, and on school Internet policy will be provided as required.
15 How is ICT system security maintained?
 The school ICT systems will be reviewed regularly with regard to security.
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Virus protection is installed and updated regularly.

Security strategies are discussed with the LA, particularly where a wide area network connection is being planned.
 Personal data sent over the Internet is confined to secure systems.
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Use of memory sticks is kept under review. Personal memory sticks may not be brought into school without specific permission and a virus check.
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Unapproved system utilities and executable files are not be allowed in children’s work areas or attached to e-mail.
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Files held on the school’s network are regularly checked.
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The Headteacher and ICT technician will ensure that the system has the capacity to take increased traffic caused by Internet use.
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St Michael’s C of E, VC, Nursery and Infant School
16 How are complaints regarding Internet use handled?

The Headteacher holds responsibility for handling incidents.

Any complaint about staff misuse must be referred to the Headteacher.
17 How is parents’ support enlisted?

Parents’ attention is drawn to this policy in newsletters, and on the school website.
 Internet issues will be handled sensitively to inform parents without undue alarm.

Advice on filtering systems and educational and leisure activities that include responsible use of the Internet are made available to parents.

Relevant leaflets from, for example, CEOPs, are sent out whenever possible.
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