Acceptable Use Policy

Students and Parents

Policy details

• Date created - October 2023
• Date approved - October 2023
• Next review date - October 2024
• Policy owner - Emma Wingfield and Sam Moncaster

1. Purpose
2. GDPR and Data Protection Act
3. Remote Learning Guidance
4. Using Technology in academy
5. Using Technology at home remotely
6. Security, Passwords & Copyright
7. Mobile Technologies

Purpose

This policy is for students and parents, accessing the academy network on site or remotely.

Our academy promotes the positive use of technology in academy and assists in developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of digital devices and the Internet. We ensure that our academy IT and online network is robust and resilient, and staff have a duty of care to safeguard pupils when using technology in the academy.

Any misuse of technology by a student or member of staff must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and/or Headteacher, so an investigation can take place.

This is the Acceptable User Policy (AUP) for our academy. It highlights the do’s/don’ts of using all technology in academy and shows how we want everyone to behave when using online services and equipment. The Acceptable Use Policy covers the following legislation:

• Malicious Communications Act 1988
• Computer Misuse Act 1990
• Communications Act 2003
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• GDPR and Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018

GDPR and Data Protection Act

‘Personal data’ is defined as information relating to a living natural person who can be identified directly or indirectly from that information or other information, which includes opinions about that individual.

It is also likely that such discussions will include ‘special category data’ (previously known as sensitive personal data).

Special category data is defined by the GDPR & DPA 2018 as information which must be treated with greater care because information about these matters could be used in a discriminatory way and is likely to be of a very private nature.

Please read carefully and sign at the bottom to show you agree to these terms. 

Remote Learning Guidance

When students are accessing virtual lessons, especially where webcams are involved, the below should be considered:

• In the majority of cases, virtual learning will be delivered to groups, not on a 1:1 basis. In cases where 1:1 tuition is essential, staff will seek formal written agreement from the Academy Leadership Team (ALT) and the student’s parents.
• Staff and students must wear suitable clothing, as should anyone else in the household.
• Our academy reserves the right for staff members to record live streamed sessions with students as a log of the activity. By joining the learning session parents give permission for this to happen.
• The purpose of any potential recording of live sessions would be so that the video can be reviewed if any issues were to arise.
• Live classes should be kept to a reasonable length of time, or the streaming may prevent the family ‘getting on’ with their day.
• Recording of live sessions may be particularly appropriate when there is only one member of staff on the call and no ‘supervising’ second adult is available on the feed.
• If live streams are to be recorded, this should be reflected in communication with staff, parents and students.

Using technology in the academy 

• I will only use academy IT and online systems, external logins and email for academy related purposes. Other usage will be with the permission of ALT.
• I will monitor the use of all IT and online systems in academy and report any inappropriate use by pupils or staff to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• I will not search for, view, download, upload or transmit any material which could be considered illegal, offensive, extremist, defamatory or copyright infringing.
• I am aware that my online activity on academy devices is monitored by Netsweeper OnGuard. A Designated Safeguarding Officer may need to discuss safeguarding concerns regarding inappropriate internet searches. If I misuse my academy's device it may be confiscated.

Using technology at home remotely

• Students are expected to read and discuss this responsible user agreement with parents, and then to follow the terms of the policy. Any concerns or queries can be discussed with Year Managers/Heads of Department.
• To facilitate online conferencing during academy suspension, parents should support their children by providing them with a workspace that is quiet, safe and free from distractions with an adult nearby if necessary.
• To make sure your children are dressed appropriately (academy uniform is not necessary) ensuring that face-to-face communication is only between teachers and students, any parent to teacher communication should be in the usual manner via email.
• Parents may not record, share or comment on public forums including social media about individual teachers or students.
• Students may not record, share or comment on public forums including social media about individual teachers or students.
• By allowing your child to log on, you are accepting this agreement and acknowledge that you have shared this document and discussed face-to-face learning with your child. It is vital that your child agrees to follow the rules.

Security, Passwords & Copyright

• I will not divulge any academy related passwords and I will comply with academy online safety security procedures.
• I will use academy email systems for academy related communications. I will not use personal accounts for academy business.
• I will ensure that personal data is stored securely and in line with the GDPR and Data Protection Act. I will follow academy policy with regard to external logins, encrypted data and not storing academy material on personal IT equipment unless stated otherwise.
• I will not install software onto the network or mobile devices unless supervised by the Network Manager or IT support staff.

Mobile Technologies

Mobile phones are part of modern society and the majority of students will now own a mobile phone. We understand that for safety reasons students will carry a mobile phone in order to contact parents/carers on their way to and from school. However, mobile phones can lead to several problems in the academy, for example bullying, disruption to lessons and inappropriate web usage. As an academy we strongly encourage our students to talk to each other and develop friendship groups at break and lunchtime, as opposed to using their mobile phones. As a result the use of mobile phones during academy hours is completely forbidden, and students found using their mobile phone during academy hours will be dealt with in accordance with this policy.

Purpose 

• To clarify the academy position on mobile phones.
• To ensure that staff, students and parents are fully conversant with the policy and understand the reasons for the policy.
• To support our Positive Behaviour Policy, which aims for outstanding behaviour and safety of students across the academy.
• To ensure that student welfare and safeguarding incidents associated with mobile phones are minimised.
• To safeguard students, parents, staff and visitors to the academy

Guidelines 

• Students will ensure that their mobile phone and any other personally-owned digital device is switched off at all times in the academy.
• Students are not permitted to use any personally-owned mobile device to take images, video or sound recordings on the academy's site.
• Any student seen using their mobile phone during academy hours will have their phone confiscated.
• The first time this happens, the student will be allowed to collect this from Student Reception at the end of the day.
• Any subsequent incidence of mobile phone use in academy will result in an after-school detention, and may necessitate a parent or appropriate adult collecting the phone from academy.
• This includes the use of ‘Smart’ or Apple watches – the use of these is not allowed as they are effectively mobile phones and will be treated as such.
• Students will receive assemblies explaining the mobile phone policy and the policy will be placed on the academy website for parents/carers to access.
• When issues with mobile phones exist that involve serious misuse of the phone, transmitting images, cyber bullying etc, parents will be invited into the academy and the Malicious Communications Act will be explained. This states that parents are responsible for the phone and any issues resulting from the phone when it is used by a ‘minor’.

I have read, understood and agree to the terms of this policy.