Acceptable Use Policy - ballyhogue national school

Acceptable Use Policy

The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources in a safe and effective manner. Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.

School Strategies
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:

General
• Access to internet will always be supervised by a teacher.
• Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material. The school internet is protected by the firewall provided by the NCTE (National Centre for Technology in Education).
• The school will regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage.
• Pupils and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet safety.
• Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
• Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
• The use of personal USB’s or CD-ROMs in school is not allowed.
• Pupils will observe good “netiquette” (i.e., etiquette on the Internet) at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.

World Wide Web
• Pupils will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
• Pupils will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
• Pupils will never disclose or publicise personal information.
• Pupils 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.
• Pupils will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or otherwise objectionable materials
• Pupils will be taught appropriate use of the internet, using the www.webwise.ie teaching materials.

Email
• Pupils will not have access to email facilities at school. Any emails to other children/schools, will be sent through the school email address.
Internet Chat ( Very restricted use only)
• Pupils will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.
• Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
• Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
• Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat is forbidden.
• Skype may be used for contacting other children/schools for project work, or penpals. This will only be done under teacher supervision.

School Website
• Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the school website.
• The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
• Pupils’ work will appear in an educational context on Web pages.
• No photographs, audio or video clips of individual pupils will be published on the public gallery of the school website. Instead photographs, audio or video clips will focus on group activities and children's work.  
• Personal pupil information including surnames, home address and contact details will not be used on school web pages.
• Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.
iPads
•Pupils will use iPads to facilitate learning.
•Pupils will use the applications that have been downloaded by their teachers.
•Pupils are not permitted to go into setting unless supervised.
•Pupils are not permitted to use Google Search unless supervised.
•All pupils are made aware of the rules associated with using iPads and will sign their own copy of the rules, which will be stored in their files.

Legislation
The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers and parents should familiarise themselves with:
• Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003 ( see school policy)
• Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
• Interception Act 1993
• Video Recordings Act 1989
• The Data Protection Act 1988

Support Structures
The school will inform pupils and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet. Teachers will give instruction on appropriate use of the internet and how to use it safely.
We use the services of the NCTE , www.webwise.ie and www.safety.ie

Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension. The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.

Review
This policy was developed in 2014 and will be updated regularly as developments in technology continue to impact on education in particular.