Scoil
San Treasa: Acceptable Use Policy
School’s Strategy
As part of Scoil San Treasa’s IT programme, pupils
will be offered limited, supervised access to the Internet. They will have the
opportunity to access suitable websites and search for information related to
their studies and may exchange email with other schools.
In common with other media (books, magazines,
television and video), some material on the Internet is inaccurate and
unsuitable. However in Scoil San Treasa we believe that the educational benefits
of enabling the pupils supervised access greatly outweighs any disadvantages.
The school will employ a number of strategies in order
to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the
Internet. These strategies are as follows:
·
Pupils will use the Internet for educational purposes
only.
·
Pupils using the Internet will always be supervised by
teachers.
·
Pupils will never disclose or publicise any personal
information about themselves or others.
·
Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be
used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
·
The school will regularly monitor pupils Internet
usage.
·
Virus protection software is used and is updated
regularly.
·
Teachers will be particularly vigilant when pupils are
undertaking their own research.
·
Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will
not be permitted.
·
Pupils will observe good ‘netiquette’ at all times
and will not undertake any actions that will bring themselves or the school into
disrepute.
·
The use of personal CD ROMs, Memory Keys in school
requires a teacher’s permission.
World Wide Web
·
Students will not intentionally visit Internet sites
that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials.
·
Students will report accidental accessing of
inappropriate materials in accordance with school procedures.
·
Students will use the Internet for educational purposes
only. Students will not copy information into assignments and fail to
acknowledge the source. (Plagiarism and copyright infringement)
·
Students will never disclose of publicise personal
information.
·
Downloading materials or images not relevant to their
studies is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
·
Students will be aware that any usage including
distributing or receiving information, school related or personal, may be
monitored for unusual activity, security and/or network management reasons.
·
Internet Chat : Students will only have access to chat
rooms, discussion forums, messaging and other electronic communication fora that
have been approved by the school.
Email
·
Pupils may send email as part of a planned lesson but
will not be given individual email accounts. They will use a pre approved email
account.
·
Incoming mail to students will be opened by a teacher
and not regarded as private.
·
Pupils will never disclose or publicise personal
information.
·
Pupils will not send or receive any material that is
illegal, obscene or defamatory or that is intended to annoy or intimidate
another person.
·
Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with
someone they only know through e-mails or the internet.
·
Usernames / Screen names will be used to avoid
disclosure of identity.
School Website
·
Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish work on
the school website.
·
Digital photographs of individual pupils will not be
published on the school website. Photographs will focus on groups rather than
individuals.
·
Personal pupil’s information (name, address etc) will
be omitted from the school web pages.
·
Pupils will continue to own copyright on any work
published. The website will be checked regularly to ensure that there is no
content that compromises the safety of pupils or staff.
Personal Devices
·
Pupils using their own technology in school, such as
leaving a mobile phone turned on or using it in class, sending nuisance text
messages or the unauthorized taking of images with a mobile phone camera, still
or moving is in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy.
·
All personal devices are to be turned off during school
hours.
Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary
action including verbal / written warnings and in some cases withdrawal of
resources. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities
to the appropriate authorities.
Staff
The Internet is available for Staff personal and
professional use. Personal use of the Internet should not occur during class
time.
Legislation
Attention of the staff and parents is drawn to the
following legislation:
·
Data Protection Act (Amendment) 2003
·
Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
·
Interception Act 1993
·
Video Recordings Act 1989
·
The Data protection Act 1988.