School Name: Scoil Mhuire Address: Knockavilla, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary
Roll No.: 14426N
Aim of the AUP
The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy 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 Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.
It is envisaged that this AUP will be reviewed annually.
Before signing the AUP you should read it carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood.
This version of the AUP was created in January 2015 by the Principal Teacher in consultation with the teachers.
School Strategy
The school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:
General
• Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
• Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used from School’s Broadband Programme in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
• The teachers will monitor pupils’ Internet usage in school.
• Students and teachers will be taught about 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 memory sticks, CD-ROMs, or other digital storage media in school requires a teacher’s permission.
• When using the internet, students will treat others with respect at all times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into disrepute.
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 or 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.
• Students will not print, or download any information in any media without the teacher’s permission
Email
• Students may only use approved class email accounts under supervision by or permission from a teacher.
• Students may not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
• Students may not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
• Students may never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through emails or the internet.
• Students will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to permission from their teacher.
Internet Chat
• Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums, messaging 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 only and will always be supervised.
• Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
• Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be forbidden.
School Website
• Students will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on the World Wide Web in accordance with clear policies and approval processes regarding the content that can be loaded to the school’s website
• Teachers will co-ordinate the publication of pupils’ work
• The website will be regularly checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of pupils or staff.
• Students’ work may appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright notice prohibiting the copying of such work without expressing written permission.
• The school will endeavour to use digital photographs, audio or video clips focusing on group activities. Content focusing on individual students will not be published on the school website without the parental permission. Video clips may be password protected.
• Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
• The school website will avoid publishing the first name together with the surname of individuals in a photograph.
• Photographs on the website will be of groups and not individual children, unless with the permission of a child’s parents or guardians.
• Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.
Personal Devices
Pupils using their own technology in school, such as a mobile phone, tablet, personal computer, digital camera etc, are in direct breach of the school’s acceptable use policy, as outlined in the school’s Behaviour Policy.
Legislation
The school will provide information on the following legislation relating to use of the Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves with:
• Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
• Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
• Interception Act 1993
• Video Recordings Act 1989
• The Data Protection Act 1988
Support Structures
The school will inform students and parents of key support structures and organisations that deal with illegal material or harmful use of the Internet.
Sanctions
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, with reference to the school’s Behaviour Policy, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion.
The school also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.
Permission Form
Please read the attached School Internet Acceptable Use Policy, sign and return this permission form to the Principal.
School Name: Scoil Mhuire Knockavilla
1. 2.
Name of Pupil: ________________ Name of Pupil:__________________
Class: _________________ Class: ____________________
3. 4.
Name of Pupil: _______________ Name of Pupil: _________________
Class: ___________________ Class: _________________________
Pupil
I agree to follow the school’s Acceptable Use Policy on the use of the Internet. I will use the Internet in a responsible way and obey all the rules explained to me by the school.
Pupil’s Signature: __________________________ Date: __________
Pupil’s Signature: __________________________ Date: __________
Pupil’s Signature: __________________________ Date: __________
Pupil’s Signature: __________________________ Date: __________
Parent/Guardian
As the parent or legal guardian of the above pupil, I have read the Acceptable Use Policy and grant permission for my son or daughter or the child in my care to access the Internet. I understand that Internet access is intended for educational purposes. I also understand that every reasonable precaution has been taken by the school to provide for online safety but the school cannot be held responsible if pupils access unsuitable websites.
I accept the above paragraph □ I do not accept the above paragraph □
(Please tick as appropriate)
In relation to the school website, I accept that, if the school considers it appropriate, my child’s schoolwork may be chosen for inclusion on the website. I understand and accept the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy relating to publishing children’s work on the school website/blog.
I accept the above paragraph □ I do not accept the above paragraph □
(Please tick as appropriate)
Signature: ______________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Telephone: __________________ _____________________________