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Welcome.

Our aim at Bishop Barrington is to provide all pupils in our care with a desire and clear path to achieve academic success.

We strive to reach our aim by creating a climate of high quality teaching, firm but fair discipline, below average class sizes and a caring pastoral system.

You are here: Bishop Barrington School > About > Policies > ICT Usage

ICT Usage Policy

Why is Internet use important?

The Internet is an essential element in 21st Century life for education, business and social interaction. It is an open communications channel allowing information to be transmitted to many locations in the world. Messages may be sent, ideas discussed and material published, with very little restriction. These features of the Internet make it an invaluable resource used by millions of people every day.

Internet use in school is to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school's management, information and business administration systems. Benefits of using the Internet in education include:

  • Access to world-wide educational resources
  • Inclusion in government initiatives such as the NGfL and the VTC
  • Educational and cultural exchanges between pupils world-wide
  • Cultural, vocational, social and leisure use in libraries, clubs and at home
  • Access to experts in many fields for pupils and staff
  • Staff professional development through access to national developments, educational materials and good curriculum practice
  • Communication with support services, professional associations and colleagues
  • Exchange of curriculum and administration data with the LEA and DfES
  • Improved access to technical support

The statutory curriculum requires pupils to learn how to locate, retrieve and exchange information using ICT. Consequently, in delivering the curriculum teachers need to plan to integrate the use of communications technology such as web-based resources and e-mail to enrich and extend learning activities. Effective Internet use is an essential life-skill for all pupils to master.

Core Principles of Internet Safety

In common with most technologies, Internet use presents risks as well as benefits. Pupils could be placed in inappropriate and even dangerous situations without mediated Internet access. To ensure responsible use and the safety of pupils the school's policy is built on the following five core principles:

  • Guided educational use - Internet use will be planned, task orientated and educational within a regulated and managed environment
  • Risk assessment - both staff and pupils will be aware of the risks associated with Internet use. Emerging technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk assessment carried out before use in school is allowed. Staff and pupils will know what to do if they come across inappropriate material when using the Internet
  • Responsibility - Internet safety depends on staff, governors, advisors, parents, and, where appropriate, pupils themselves taking responsibility for use of the Internet and associated technologies. The school will seek to balance education for responsible use, regulation and technical solutions to ensure pupils' safety
  • Regulation - The use of the Internet, which brings with it the possibility of misuse will be regulated. Fair rules, written for pupils to read and understand, will be prominently displayed as a constant reminder of the expectations regarding Internet use
  • Appropriate Strategies - Effective, monitored strategies will be in place to ensure responsible and safe Internet use. The school will work in partnership with the LEA, DfES, parents and the ISP to ensure systems to protect pupils are regularly reviewed and improved.

Pupil Access

Parents will be informed that pupils will be provided with supervised Internet access and will be required to sign and return a form acknowledging their understanding of the school's policy on Internet use. The school will keep a record of all staff and pupils who are granted Internet access. The record will be monitored by the Network Manager and/or any other ICT Support staff.

In common with other media such as magazines, books and video, some material available via the Internet is unsuitable for pupils. Bishop Barrington School, with the support and guidance of the LEA, will take all precautions to ensure that users only access appropriate material. However, due to the international and linked nature of Internet content, it is not possible to guarantee that unsuitable material will never occur on a school computer. Neither the school nor Durham LEA can accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences of Internet access.

If staff or pupils discover unsuitable sites, the URL (website address) and content must be reported immediately to the Network Manager via any member of staff.

Staff and pupils will be made aware that the use of computer systems without permission or for inappropriate purposes could constitute a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Staff Access

Staff will be encouraged to use this resource to support and enrich their own teaching and professional development. Staff will observe all restrictions and policies with regards to appropriate use of the Internet. Any complaint about staff misuse must be referred to the Headteacher.

E-Mail

Each pupil and member of staff has their own Email address on the school's networked system, which is also accessible from outside of school. Only these approved Email accounts may be used on the school system. Pupils must not reveal details of themselves or others, such as their home address or telephone number, or arrange to meet anyone in Email communication. Pupils must immediately tell a member of staff if they receive any offensive Email messages.

School Website

The school's website is to celebrate children's work, promote the school and publish resources for projects or homework. The point of contact on the website is the school address, school Email and telephone number. Staff or pupils' home information will not be published. Written permission from parents or guardians will be obtained before photographs of pupils are published on the school website. All website photographs will be selected carefully to ensure that individual pupils cannot be identified.

School Code of Practice

The school has developed a set of guidelines for network and Internet use by pupils. These rules will be made available to pupils and kept under constant review. All members of staff are responsible for explaining the rules and their implications. All members of staff need to be aware of possible misuses and their responsibilities towards pupils.


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