DOWNSIDE PARENT HANDBOOK
ONLINE SAFETY AND E-SAFETY POLICY All pupils must read the School’s Acceptable Use Policy and must sign a letter to say that they will abide by it and this should be done in line with the E- Safety Policy. (Found in the online joiner forms) In particular pupils may not:
a) Use proxy servers or VPN’s to bypass the School’s ICT security system b) Log-in using another person’s username and/or password
c) Download Zip (*.zip) files or executable (*.exe) files d) Download illicit material
e) Make contact with anyone on the Internet, whose identity is unknown
f) Run any executable file, or any program capable of affecting the system registry
g) Run any hacking software, including those searching for files or passwords h) Attempt to modify any computer in any way
i) Abuse copyright, or attempt to pass off downloaded work as their own j) Use the dark web or Tor browsers.
All children at Downside School will have the opportunity to engage explore online safety as part of whole school initiatives, such as Safer Internet Day, or within PHSE and other lessons. Your child will be educated in the safe and respectful use of technology in a planned and progressive way, to help them understand how to make the most of digital opportunities while
28
WWW.DOWNSIDE.CO.UK
keeping themselves and others safe. This will include learning about online bullying, sexting and sharing of other inappropriate content, understanding their digital footprint, keeping personal information safe, and understanding contacts with others online.
All networks in the school are subject to web filtering to reduce access to inappropriate content. However, due to the complexity of the Internet there is always a small chance that undesirable material may get through these filters and your child will therefore be educated about how to respond appropriately in such instances. Staff are also trained regularly in understanding online safety issues that pupils may faces part of our safeguarding training programme. Where online safety issues occur, staff will support pupils to manage and provide relevant education.
We would appreciate you taking the time to read through the User Acceptance Policy with your child, to reinforce the importance of following these guidelines, so that your child can make full use of the ICT provision within our school in a safe and responsible manner. These guidelines will be displayed across school and regularly referred to by staff when using digital technologies. Please note that it is School policy that pupils’ mobile phones should not be visible, distracting or used in lessons, as they have the potential to interrupt learning. If pupils use their phones in lessons, teaching staff have the right to confiscate the device. Any exception to this, and only for explicit educational purposes, is at the discretion of the member of staff.