(this policy will be updated over the Summer)
Governing the use of the Kingston Grammar School network and the use of ICT, both in and out of school
New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people in today’s society, both within schools and in their lives outside school. The internet and other digital information and communications technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and increase awareness of context to promote effective learning. Young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access at all times. On a daily basis, our filter provider sends a report to the Deputy Heads of incidents where students have triggered the filter. Where patterns are identified, or sites visited that cause concern, appropriate further action may be taken.
This Acceptable Use Policy is intended to ensure:
- that all KGS students will be responsible users and stay safe while using the internet and other communications technologies for educational, personal and recreational use.
- that School ICT systems and users are protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users at risk.
KGS will try to ensure that students will have good access to ICT to enhance their learning and will, in return, expect the students to agree to be responsible users.
Acceptable Use Policy Agreement
I understand that I must use School ICT systems in a responsible way, to ensure that there is no risk to my safety or to the safety and security of the ICT systems and other users.
For my own personal safety:
- I understand that the School will monitor my use of the ICT systems, email and other digital communications.
- I understand that it is in the best interest of my safety to ensure that any social media profiles I have are set to the highest privacy setting and that I only communicate with people I know offline.
- I will not reveal my username and password to anybody else, nor will I try to use any other person’s username and password.
- I will be aware of “stranger danger” when I am communicating online and, if in doubt, I will seek the advice of a member of staff or parent/guardian.
- I will not disclose or share personal information about myself or others when online.
- If I arrange to meet people off-line that I have communicated with online, I will do so in a public place and take an adult with me.
- I will immediately report any unpleasant or inappropriate material or messages or anything that makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it online.
- I understand that I have an email account issued to me by the School. I must use this email account when emailing staff at School.
I understand that everyone has equal rights to use technology as a resource and:
- I understand that the School ICT systems are primarily intended for educational use and that I will not use the systems for personal or recreational use unless I have permission to do so.
- I will not try (unless I have permission) to make large downloads or uploads that might take up internet capacity and prevent other users from being able to carry out their work.
- I will not use the School’s internet systems for inappropriate activities such as online gaming, online gambling, internet shopping or file sharing or sending and/or sharing inappropriate images.
I will act as I expect others to act toward me:
- I will respect others’ work and property and will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without the owner’s knowledge and permission.
- I will adopt appropriate etiquette when sending emails to staff and other students, ensuring those emails are polite and formatted correctly.
- I will be polite and responsible when I communicate with others online, I will not use strong, aggressive or inappropriate language and I appreciate that others may have different opinions.
- I will not take or distribute images of anyone without their permission, even if I consider the image to be harmless.
- I will not build, use or host any website (e.g. blogs, YouTube) outside of the School network which contains any material relating to KGS or members of the School community.
- I understand that the School will monitor the use of social networking sites by students.
I recognise that the School has a responsibility to maintain the security and integrity of the technology it offers me and to ensure the smooth running of the School:
- My mobile phone must not be used or switched on during lesson time or in school corridors and must not be taken into any examination. I must not use my phone between lessons.
- I understand that use of cameras, including on mobile phones, is forbidden during normal school hours, unless under direction of a member of staff.
- I will not upload, download, send, print, or access any materials which are illegal, obscene or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to others, nor will I use any programs or software that might allow me to bypass the filtering / security systems in place to prevent access to such materials.
- I will immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened.
- I will not open any attachments to emails unless I know and trust the person / organisation who sent the email. This is because of the risk of the attachment containing viruses or other harmful programs.
- I will not install or attempt to install programs of any type on School hardware nor will I try to alter computer settings.
- I will use School email responsibly and I will not send inappropriate emails or distribute mass emails (e.g. distribution lists) without good reason.
- I understand that, with the exception of portable computers, IT equipment should not be moved, relocated or adjusted without the permission of a member of staff.
- I understand that display screens and signs in classrooms and other areas of the School should not be touched without a member of staff present in the classroom in order to supervise.
- I understand that I have my own user area to store private files and folders for school work only. This area should not be used to store personal photographs, music or documents. If my work is particularly important, it is good practice to save additional copies elsewhere as the School cannot guarantee against possible hardware failure.
- I understand that any deliberate attempt to damage or ‘hack’ into the School’s ICT infrastructure will result in serious disciplinary action.
When using the internet for research or recreation, I recognise that:
- I should ensure that I have permission to use the original work of others in my own work.
- Where work is protected by copyright, I will not download copies (including music and videos).
- When I am using the internet to find information, I should take care to check that the information that I access is accurate, as I understand that the work of others may not be truthful and may be a deliberate attempt to mislead me.
I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of school:
- I understand that KGS also has the right to take action against me if I am involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when I am out of school and where they involve my membership of the school community (examples would be cyber-bullying, use of images or personal information, hurtful or derogatory comments on chat rooms, instant messaging, text messaging, social networking sites or similar websites).
- I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, I will be subject to disciplinary action.
Your child will be asked to sign this agreement when they start at KGS. If they do not accept this agreement, access will not be granted to School ICT systems.
