Acceptable Use Agreement 2022-2023

Policy Statement 

The Trust recognises the use of ICT as an important resource for teaching, learning and  personal development. It actively encourages staff to take full advantage of the potential for  ICT to enhance development in all areas of the curriculum and school administration. It is  also recognised by the Trust that along with these benefits there are also responsibilities,  especially for ensuring that children are protected from contact with inappropriate  materials.  

In addition to their normal access to the school’s ICT systems for work-related purposes, the  Trust permits staff limited reasonable personal use of ICT equipment and e-mail and  internet facilities during their own time subject to such use:  

1. Not depriving pupils of the use of the equipment and/or  

2. Not interfering with the proper performance of the staff member’s duties  

Whilst the school’s ICT systems may be used for both work-related and for personal reasons  the Trust expects use of this equipment for any purpose to be appropriate, courteous and  consistent with the expectations of the Trust at all times and must never compromise the  high standards of Safeguarding expected by all members of the staff.  

The use of computer equipment, including laptop computers, which is on loan to staff by  the school for their personal use at home is covered under this policy. Staff who have  equipment on loan are responsible for its safekeeping and for ensuring that it is used in  compliance with this policy.  

Guidance on the use of school facilities 

Whilst it is not possible to cover all eventualities, the following information is published as  guidance for staff on the expectations of the Trust. Any non-conformance to this policy or  operation outside statutory legal compliance may be grounds for disciplinary action being  taken up to and including dismissal.  

Further guidance on the responsible use of ICT facilities are contained in the Council  document

“Internet Access Policy for Schools”.

E-mail and Internet usage  

The following uses of the school’s ICT system are prohibited and may in certain  circumstances amount to gross misconduct and could result in dismissal:  

1. to gain access to, and/or for the publication and distribution of inappropriate  sexual material, including text and/or images, or other material that would tend to  deprave or corrupt those likely to read or see it  
2. to gain access to, and/or for the publication and distribution of material promoting  racial hatred  
3. for the purpose of bullying or harassment, or for or in connection with  discrimination or denigration on the grounds of gender, race, disability or sexual  orientation  
4. for the publication and/or distribution of libellous statements or material which  defames or degrades others  
5. for the publication and distribution of personal data without either consent or  justification  
6. where the content of the e-mail correspondence is unlawful or in pursuance of an  unlawful activity, including unlawful discrimination  
7. to participate in on-line gambling  
8. where the use infringes copyright law  
9. to gain unauthorised access to internal or external computer systems (commonly known as hacking)  
10. to enable or assist others to breach the Governors’ expectations as set out in this  policy  

Additionally, the following uses of school ICT facilities are not permitted and could lead to  disciplinary action being taken:  

1. for participation in “chain” e-mail correspondence  
2. in pursuance of personal business or financial interests, or political activities  (excluding the legitimate activities of recognised trade union representatives)  3. to access ICT facilities using another person’s password, or to post anonymous  messages or forge e-mail messages using another person's identity. 

Use of School ICT Equipment  

Users of school ICT equipment:  

1. must not share and must treat as confidential any passwords provided to allow  access to ICT equipment and/or beyond firewall protection boundaries
2. must report any known breach of password confidentiality to the Headteacher or  nominated ICT Co-ordinator as soon as possible  
3. must report known breaches of this policy, including any inappropriate images or  other material which may be discovered on the school’s ICT systems
4. must not install software on the school’s ICT systems, including freeware and  shareware, unless authorised by the school’s ICT Co-ordinator  
5. must comply with any ICT security procedures governing the use of systems in the  school, including anti-virus measures

Remote Learning 

In circumstances where teaching cannot be conducted on the school premises, teachers will  use Class Dojo to communicate with parents/ carers. KS1 will used Class Dojo to set work  for the children- via the parents/ carers. In KS2 Google Classroom and Google Meet will be  used to assist with remote teaching where necessary. A variety of other online platforms  are also used regularly in teaching and learning, including, Spelling Shed, Times Tables  Rockstars, Education City, Oxford Owls, Phonics Play and other platforms approved for  Primary schools.

The individual teacher using Google Classroom and Class Dojo has signed up to the terms of service of the online platform on behalf of the school and has enabled the most up to date  security and privacy features which these online platforms provide.

In the case where Google Classroom and Google Meet are used parents/ carers must grant  access to their child to have a school Gmail address such as  

pupilname@coopacademies.co.uk. Parents/ carers will be provided with the password and  will be expected to monitor their child’s use of the Gmail address and Online Platforms.

Parents/ carers must also agree to monitor their child’s participation in any ‘live lessons’  conducted on Google Meet, being present in the room at all times. All sessions are also  recorded (with parent’s knowledge) in case of any safeguarding issues that may arise. During ‘live lessons’ children must:

∙ Have the camera on where possible

∙ Be in a communal area or the home (not in a bedroom)

∙ Participate appropriately.  

∙ Remain muted unless asked to speak- remembering the general speaking and  listening rules of the classroom.

∙ Use the chat facility for appropriate questions and responses

Teacher approved links to some YouTube, Vimeo and Loom clips that are deemed useful to  explain or compliment work set may also be used as part of teaching and learning.  

Roles and Responsibilities 

It is the overall responsibility of the entire school staff with the support of parents to ensure  that these guidelines are implemented within the school environment.

Use of school devices 

In the event of a school/ bubble closure, it may be necessary for parents/carers to request  the use of a Chromebook or tablet to support the children’s learning remotely. These will  be provided when an agreement has been signed by the parents/ carers. Devices are to  then be returned to school upon the child’s return to school. School devices are only to be  used to access Google Classroom and other specified platforms, or to attend ‘live lessons’ on  Google Meet. The child’s individual email address will be used to log in to the device. Any  misuse of the device may result in the child/ family being unable to have access to devices in  the future.

Approved by: LGB                                                 Date: 12/05/21 

Last reviewed on: September 2022

Next review due by: September 2023

Acceptable Use Agreement

All pupils must follow the rules in this policy when using school computers, Chromebooks,  laptops, iPads and the internet (including tablets and Chromebooks loaned from school  during isolation and remote learning).

Pupils that do not follow these rules may find:  

∙ They cannot use school devices

∙ They cannot loan school devices for use at home (during isolation periods) ∙ They can only use the computers if they are more closely watched.

Their teachers will show pupils how to use the computers.

UNACCEPTABLE USE  

Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to:  

• Using a computer with another person’s username and password.  
• Creating or sending on the Internet any messages that might upset other  people.  
• Looking at, or changing work that belongs to other people.  
• Waste time or resources on school computers.

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Student User Agreement Form for the Student Acceptable Use Policy

I agree to follow the school rules when using the school computers. I will use the  network in a sensible way and follow all the rules explained by my teacher.  

I agree to report anyone not using the computers sensibly to a member of staff.  

I also agree to tell an adult if I see any websites that make me feel unhappy or  uncomfortable.  

If I do not follow the rules, I understand that this may mean I might not be able to use  the computers.  

Student Name: ______________________________________________

I realise that any pupil under reasonable suspicion of not following these rules when  using (or misusing) the computers may have their use stopped, more closely  monitored or past use investigated.  

Parent/Carers/Guardians Name: _______________________________________  Parent/Carers/Guardians     Signature: ______________________________________  

Date: ___________________