E-Safety Policy
September 2012
Who will write and review the policy?
The e-safety policy has been written by the ICT co-ordinator, building on
the KCC e-safety policy and government guidance. It is also written in
conjunction with the behaviour, safeguarding, PSHE and anti-bullying
policies. It has been agreed by members of staff and approved by the
governing body. The ICT coordinator is also responsible for reviewing and
updating the policy annually.
Why is Internet use so important?
The use of the Internet is part of the statutory curriculum and a
necessary tool for learning. It is an essential part of everyday life for
education, business and social interaction. 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 schools
management systems. The school has a duty to provide students with
quality Internet access as part of their learning experience. Most
students also use the Internet widely outside school and need to learn
how to evaluate Internet information and to take care of their own
safety and security online.
How does Internet use benefit education?
Benefits of using the Internet in education include:
 Access to worldwide educational resources.
 Educational and cultural exchanges between pupils worldwide.
 Vocational, social and leisure use in libraries, clubs and at home.
 Access to experts in many fields for pupils and staff.
 Professional development for staff through access to national
developments, educational materials and effective curriculum
practice.
 Exchange of curriculum and administration data with KCC and DfE
 Access to learning wherever and whenever convenient.
How can Internet use enhance learning?
Internet access is designed to enhance and extend learning activities.
Staff should guide pupils to online activities that will support the learning
outcomes planned for the pupils’ age and maturity. Pupils will be taught
what Internet use is acceptable and what is not and given clear
objectives for Internet use. The school’s Internet access is designed for
pupils’ use and will include filtering appropriate for the age of the pupils.
Pupils will be taught to acknowledge the source of information used and to
respect copyright when using Internet material in their own work.
How will pupils learn how to evaluate Internet content?
KS2 children should be taught to be critically aware of the materials they
read and shown how to validate information before accepting its accuracy.
For KS1 will use age appropriate tools to research Internet content and
teachers should evaluate the content for suitability and accuracy before
allowing the children to access resources. The school will ensure that the
copying and subsequent use of Internet derived materials by staff and
pupils comply with copyright law.
How will information systems security be maintained?
The server is kept secure and is not accessible by children or staff, with
the exception of the ICT technician and external support staff. The
server and its operating system is regularly kept up to date. All
computers have up to date virus protection and wireless Internet devices
are managed by the technician. Unapproved system utilities and
executable files are not allowed in the pupils’ work areas or attached to
emails.
How will email be managed?
Children do not have individual email addresses and only whole class or
group email addresses may be used under close supervision and are
monitored by the class teacher. Children and staff are unable to access
personal email accounts through the school’s Internet. Staff will only use
official school provided email accounts to communicate with pupils and
parents and other professionals.
How will published content be managed?
The contact details on the school website are the school address, phone
and fax numbers and email address. Staff and pupils’ personal information
must not be published. The Headteacher takes overall editorial
responsibility for online content published by the school, ensuring the
appropriateness of materials. The website complies with the school’s
guidelines for publications.
Can pupil’s images or work be published?
Images or videos that include pupils will be selected carefully. Pupils’ full
names will not be used anywhere on the website, especially in association
with photographs. Written permission from parents or carers will be
obtained before imaged of pupils are electronically published.
How will social networking, social media and personal publishing be
managed?
Children at Priory Fields School are unable to access social networking
sites or engage in personal publishing onsite. However, when using them at
home the school advises not to give out personal details of any kind which
may identify them or their location. Pupils will be encouraged to approve
and invite known friends only on social networking sites and deny access
to others by making profiles private. Staff personal use of social
networking, social media and personal publishing sites and safe and
professional behaviour is outlined in the schools Acceptable Use Policy.
How will filtering be managed?
The school’s broadband access includes filtering appropriate to the age
and maturity of the pupils. The school will work with KCC and the Schools
Broadband team to ensure that systems to protect pupils are reviewed
and improved. If staff or pupils discover unsuitable sites, the URL must
be reported to the e-safety coordinator.
How will videoconferencing be managed?
Videoconferencing is only permitted as a whole class or in small groups,
closely supervised by an adult and only using the Flashmeeting program.
Parent and carers consent will be obtained prior to children taking part in
videoconferencing.
How are emerging technologies managed?
Emerging technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk
assessment will be carried out before use in school is allowed. Mobile
phones are not permitted in school.
How should personal data be protected?
Personal data will be recorded, processed and transferred and made
available according to the Data Protection Act 1998.
How will Internet Access be authorised?
The school will maintain a current record of all staff and pupils who are
granted access to the school’s electronic communications. At Key Stage 1,
access to the Internet will be by adult demonstration with occasional
directly supervised access to specific approved on-line material. At Key
Stage 2 children use the Internet as part of a supervised session in the
ICT suite or independent work on the class PC or Year 5/6 laptops with an
adult present. Parents are asked to read and sign the Schools Acceptable
Use Policy for pupils and discuss with their chid(ren). All staff read and
sign the Schools Acceptable Use Policy as part of the induction process.
How will risks be assessed?
The school will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users
access only appropriate material. However, due to the global and
connected nature of Internet content, it is not possible to guarantee that
access to unsuitable material will never occur via a school computer.
Neither the school nor KCC can accept liability for the material accessed,
or any consequences resulting from Internet use. The school will audit
ICT use to establish if the e-safety policy is adequate and that the
implementation of the e-safety policy is appropriate.
How will the school respond to any incidents of concern?
All members if the school community will be informed about the
procedure for reporting e-safety concerns (such as breeches of filtering,
cyberbullying, illegal content etc). The school will manage any e-safety
incidents in accordance will the schools behaviour policy. The school will
inform parents/carers of any incidents of concern as and where required.
How will e-safety complaints be handled?
Complaints of Internet misuse will be dealt with by a senior member of
staff and in line with the School’s complaints procedure. Any complaint
about staff misuse must be referred to the Headteacher. All e-safety
complaints and incidents will be recorded by the school, including actions
taken.
How is the Internet used across the community?
The school will provide the appropriate levels of supervision for pupils
who use the Internet and related technologies on the school site. The
school will be sensitive to Internet related issues experienced by pupils
out of school and offer appropriate advice. However they are only
directly responsible for children’s use of the Internet at school.
How will cyberbullying be managed?
Cyberbullying (along with all forms of bullying) will not be tolerated in
school. Full details are set out in the school’s policy on anti-bullying. All
incidents of cyberbullying reported to the school will be recorded and
dealt with in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy.
How will Learning Platforms and Learning Environments be managed?
The School currently does not use any VLE.
How will mobile phones and personal devices be managed?
The use of mobile phones by children on the school site is not permitted.
The use of mobile phones by staff is covered in the staff Acceptable Use
Policy.
How will the policy by introduced to pupils?
All users are informed that network and Internet use will be monitored.
Safe and responsible use of the Internet and technology wil lbe
reinforced across the curriculum and subject areas. E-safety rules are
posted in rooms with Internet access and teachers should go through
them with the children regularly. Children and parents are also asked to
sign the e-safety rules to agree to their use.
How will the policy be discussed with staff?
All staff will be given the school e-safety policy and its application and
importance explained. To protect all staff and pupils, the school will
introduce and implement Acceptable Use Policies. Up-to-date and
appropriate staff training in safe and responsible, both professionally and
personally, will be provided for all members of staff.
How will parents’ support be enlisted?
Parents’ attention will be drawn to the school’s e-safety policy in
newsletters, the school prospectus and on the school’s website. Parents
will be requested to sign an e-safety agreement as part of the Home
School Agreement. Information and guidance for parents on e-safety will
be made available to parents in a variety of forms.