The computer system is owned by the school and may be used by students to further their education and by staff to enhance their professional activities including teaching, research, administration and management. The school policy on the ‘Use of Computers, the Internet and e-mail’ has been drawn up to protect all parties – the students, the staff and the school.

The school reserves the right to examine or delete any files that may be held on its computer systems, and to monitor access to Internet sites and the use of e-mail. All references to privacy should be read in the light of this statement.

• All users will be allocated an account name (‘user ID’) and password. It is the responsibility of each user to keep his or her password secret. This ensures that files cannot be accessed by other users. Loss or corruption of files as a result of insecure passwords is the responsibility of the individual user. From time to time the ICT System Manager may require users to change their passwords.
• The storage space allocated to each user is private. No attempt should be made to discover another user’s password or to access their files.
• Users must not alter computer settings or add/remove any software (including shareware and freeware) without the written permission of the ICT System Manager. The copying of software or the installation of unlicensed software is illegal and must not take place under any circumstances.
• Floppy discs and USB memory sticks from outside school must not be used without the permission of the ICT System Manager. Many people have viruses on their computers, often without knowing it. These are frequently transmitted between computers by the use of floppy discs and USB memory sticks. The ICT System Manager may allow the use of floppy discs and USB memory sticks after they have been checked for viruses, but this permission must not be assumed merely because a check has been made at some time in the past.
• Any other activity which threatens the integrity of the school’s ICT systems, or which attacks or corrupts other systems, is forbidden.
• All Internet access should be appropriate to staff professional activities or to the education of students. Accessing, or attempting to access, unsuitable materials is forbidden. If unsuitable materials are found during the course of legitimate use the situation should be reported to the ICT System Manager.
• Users are responsible for all e-mails sent by them and for contacts which result in e-mail being received. Professional levels of language and content should be used at all times. The sending of pornographic, sexist, racist or other offensive e-mail is forbidden.
• Users of e-mail in years 7 to 11 must not give their home address or telephone number, or arrange to meet someone unless their parent or guardian has given permission. Older students and members of staff should be aware of the dangers of making such arrangements with strangers.
• Any user receiving e-mail containing offensive or unsuitable material must not respond, and must report it to the ICT System Manager.
• Users must never send e-mail using someone else’s name or personal details. At best this is forgery, at worst it could place the other person in danger.
• A student’s name will never be published alongside a photograph (which is not considered a group photograph) and naming students will be avoided when filming. A photograph of the individual (which is not considered a group photograph) will not be used. If an email address for a project is needed to be given out, a teacher’s email address will be used. No personal/sensitive details (address, phone number) of students will be posted. A group photograph is considered to be at least 4 students. If a group photograph is shown, first names may be given but not necessarily in the order that the students are shown.