E-Safety Policy
Introduction
This policy has been written based on North Yorkshire e-safety guidance in conjunction with BECTA and CEOP materials. It has been adapted to reflect the schools own decisions on balancing educational benefit with potential risks. This e-safety policy will be used in conjunction with policies relating to curriculum, data protection, anti-bullying, safeguarding children, security and home-school agreements.
Rationale
The internet and other digital technologies permeate all aspects of life in a modern technological society. Internet use is part of the statutory National Curriculum and is a necessary tool for staff and pupils. It is the entitlement of every pupil to have access to the internet and digital technologies, in order to enrich his/her learning.
Scope
This policy applies to all pupils, all teaching staff, all support staff, all governors and all volunteers.
Aims
Our aims are to ensure that:
1. All pupils, including those with special educational needs:
- will use the internet and other digital technologies to support, extend and enhance their learning
- will develop an understanding of the uses, importance and limitations of the internet and other digital technologies in the modern world including the need to avoid undesirable material
- will develop a positive attitude to the internet and develop their ICT capability through both independent and collaborative working
- will use existing, as well as up and coming, technologies safely
2. Internet use supports, extends and enhances learning and is embedded in the curriculum.
3. Pupils are given clear objectives for internet use.
4. Web content is subject to age-appropriate filters.
5. Pupils develop an understanding of the uses, importance and limitations of the internet.
E-Safety Policy into practice:
- Pupils will be taught how to use the internet effectively for research purposes
- Pupils will be taught to evaluate information on the internet
- Pupils will be taught how to report inappropriate web content
- Pupils will develop a positive attitude to the internet and develop their ICT capability through both independent and collaborative working
- Pupils will use the internet to enhance their learning experience
- Pupils will have opportunities to engage in independent and collaborative learning using the internet and other digital technologies
- Pupils will use existing technologies safely
- Pupils will be taught about e-safety
- Pupils will report any inappropriate content accessed to their class teacher or the e-safety coordinator
Data Protection (please see Data Protection Policy)
E-mail
- Pupils and staff will only use approved e-mail accounts when using the school network
- Pupils will tell a member of staff if they receive inappropriate e-mail communications
- Pupils will only use e-mail for approved activities
Internet Access and Learning Platform
- Staff will read and sign the e-safety and acceptable use policies before using any school ICT resource
- Parents will read and sign an internet access consent form and Acceptable Use Policy before their children are given access to internet resources (including the Learning Platform)
- Pupils internet access during school hours will be supervised by a member of staff
Mobile Phones and other handheld technology
Pupils are not permitted to have mobile phones or other personal handheld technology in school. Such items can be confiscated by school staff if they have reason to think that they are being used to compromise the wellbeing and safety of others (Education and Inspections Act 2006, Sections 90, 91 and 94).
School Website and Published Content
The school website will not contain information about pupils or staff which could compromise their safety. This includes:
- No use of names or addresses
- No publication of pictures/photographs of children whose parents have indicated on a signed form that they do not wish their child to appear
- No personal details
All staff who edit website content must read and sign this policy.
Systems Security
ICT systems security will be regularly reviewed with support from Schools ICT.
Web Filtering
The school will work with Schools ICT to ensure that appropriate filtering is in place.
Communication of the e-safety policy to pupils
- Pupils will read (or be read) and sign the age-appropriate Internet and Learning Platform Acceptable Use Policy before using these resources
- E-safety rules will be posted in each room where a computer is used
- Pupils will be informed that internet and Learning Platform use will be monitored.
Communication of the e-safety policy to staff
- The e-safety and acceptable use policies will be given to all new members of staff as part of the staff handbook
- The e-safety and acceptable use policies will be discussed with, and signed by, all staff at least annually
- Staff will be informed that internet and Learning Platform use will be monitored.
Communication of the e-safety policy to parents/carers
- The acceptable use policies will be available in the school prospectus and on the school website
- The Learning Platform will include a list of e-safety resources and information for parents to access
- Parents will be asked to sign a home-school agreement when their children join the school. This will include acceptable use policies relating to the internet, Learning Platform and other digital technologies
- The school will communicate and publicise e-safety issues to parents through the school newsletter, website and Learning Platform.
e-safety Complaints
- Instances of pupil internet or Learning Platform misuse should be reported to, and will be dealt with by, the e-safety co-ordinator
- Instances of staff internet or Learning Platform misuse should be reported to, and will be dealt with by, the headteacher
Pupils and parents will be informed of the consequences of internet and/or Learning Platform misuse.
Whole-School Responsibilities for Internet Safety
The Headteacher will:
- Be responsible for e-safety issues within the school but may delegate the day-to-day responsibility to a Senior Leader as the e-safety co-ordinator
- Ensure that the e-safety co-ordinator is given appropriate time, support and authority to carry out their duties effectively
- Ensure that developments at Local Authority level are communicated to the e-safety co-ordinator
- Ensure that the Governing Body is informed of e-safety issues and policies
- Ensure that appropriate funding is allocated to support e-safety activities throughout the school as far as possible
The e-safety co-ordinator (ideally as part of a wider child protection role) will:
- Establish and maintain a safe ICT learning environment (under the direction of Senior Management)
- Establish and maintain a school-wide e-safety programme
- Form a school e-safety team (HT, Chair, co-ordinator) to review and advise on e-safety policies
- Work with the e-safety team to develop, and review, e-safety policies and procedures
- Respond to e-safety policy breaches in an appropriate and consistent manner in line with protocols set out in policies, and maintain an incident log
- Form a school e-safety management team to review instances of policy breaches
- Establish and maintain a staff professional development programme relating to e-safety
- Develop a parental awareness programme
- Develop an understanding of relevant legislation
Governing Body will:
- Appoint an e-Governor who will have specific responsibility for ICT and who will ensure that e-safety is included as part of the regular review of child protection and health and safety policies
- Support the headteacher and/or designated e-safety co-ordinator in establishing and implementing policies, systems and procedures for ensuring a safe ICT learning environment
- Ensure that appropriate funding is authorised for e-safety solutions, training and other activities as recommended by the headteacher and/or designated e-safety coordinator (as part of the wider remit of the Governing Body Promote e-safety to parents and provide updates on e-safety policies
Network Manager/Technical Staff will:
- Provide a technical infrastructure to support e-safety practices
- Ensure that appropriate processes and procedures are in place for responding to the discovery of illegal materials, or suspicion that such materials are, on the school's network
- Ensure that appropriate processes and procedures are in place for responding to the discovery of inappropriate but legal materials on the school's network
- Develop an understanding of relevant legislation
- Report network breaches of acceptable use of ICT facilities to the Headteacher and/or the e-safety co-ordinator
- Maintain a professional level of conduct in their personal use of technology, both within and outside school
- Take responsibility for their professional development in this area
Teaching and Support Staff will:
- Contribute to the development of e-safety policies
- Adhere to acceptable use policies
- Take responsibility for the security of data
- Develop an awareness of e-safety issues, and how they relate to pupils in their care
- Model good practice in using new and emerging technologies
- Embed e-safety education in curriculum delivery
- Know when and how to escalate e-safety issues
- Maintain a professional level of conduct in their personal use of technology, both within and outside school
- Take responsibility for their professional development in this area.
Wider School Community
This group includes: non-teaching staff; volunteers; student teachers; other adults using school internet, Learning Platform or other technologies. They will:
- Contribute to the development of e-safety policies
- Adhere to acceptable use policies
- Take responsibility for the security of data
- Develop an awareness of e-safety issues, and how they relate to pupils in their care
- Model good practice in using new and emerging technologies
- Know when and how to escalate e-safety issues
- Take responsibility for their professional development in this area
Parents and Carers will:
- Contribute to the development of e-safety policies
- Read acceptable use policies and encourage their children to adhere to them
- Adhere to acceptable use policies when using the school internet and/or Learning Platform
- Discuss e-safety issues with their children, support the school in its e-safety approaches and reinforce appropriate behaviours at home
- Take responsibility for their own awareness and learning in relation to the opportunities and risks posed by new and emerging technologies
- Model appropriate uses of new and emerging technologies
- Liaise with the school if they suspect, or have identified, that their child is conducting risky behaviour online
The headteacher has identified Jenny Todd as the e-safety co-ordinator.
This policy has been prepared by the e-safety co-ordinator and has been agreed by the Headteacher and Governing Body.
