Internet Acceptable Use Policy
School Name: Cloughduv National School
Address: Cloughduv, Crookstown, Co Cork
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 / 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 Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions – outlined in the AUP- will be imposed.
School’s 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 is provided by the Dept. of Education and Skills which minimises the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
- The school can regularly monitor pupils’ Internet usage.
- Students will be provided with guidance 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 memory sticks, CD- ROMs, or other digital storage media in school requires a teacher’s permission.
- 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 use the internet for educational purposes only.
- 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 not intentionally visit internet sites that contain objectionable materials.
Emails
- If using email communication, students will only use approved class email accounts under the supervision of a teacher.
Internet Communication
- Students will only have access to messaging / electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school e.g. Skyping between schools
School Website / Blog
- Pupils may be given the opportunity to publish artwork or school work on the internet.
- The publication of students’ work will be coordinated by a teacher.
- Photographs, audio clips and video clips of the pupils may appear on the school websites. The school will endeavour to try and display these in group contexts.
- Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be omitted from school web pages.
- The school web site will avoid publishing the first name and the last name of individuals in a photograph.
- The school will ensure that the image files are appropriately named. Pupils’ names will not be used as image file names.
- Pupils will continue to own the copyright of any work published.
Sanctions:
Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, 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.
This Internet Acceptable Use Policy has been ratified by the Board of Management.