Internet Policies


College Internet Policies

Use of the ICT Services, Internet and e-mail in College

Manor College of Technology is committed to providing the best ICT facilities and services that we can to both staff and students. It is our aim to try and stay as close to the forefront of the available technology as possible. In order to continue our development and extension of these facilities, it is important that we all respect our existing services and understand our responsibilities regarding acceptable use.

As part of the College’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) programme, we offer pupils supervised access to the Internet and electronic mail. Before College allows students to use these facilities, we must obtain parental permission. We request that pupils and parents sign and return an Internet use permission form as evidence of their acceptance of the College’s guidelines for responsible ICT use.

We also host our own website, and although we will follow strict guidelines regarding publication of student photographs, there is also provision for parents to withdraw their permission for publication if they wish.

Various projects have proven the educational benefits of Internet and electronic mail access, which enable pupils to communicate and collaborate with other learners throughout the world and explore a wide range of information sources. Although there are concerns about children having access to inappropriate material via the Internet, the College takes these concerns extremely seriously and implements a wide range of measures to minimise these risks.

A filtering system is in operation that restricts access to inappropriate materials and this is supplemented by an Internet safety programme for all pupils which teaches the safe and appropriate behaviours to adopt when using the Internet, electronic mail and other technologies.

Although Internet use is supervised and filtered within our College, families should be aware that some pupils may attempt to find ways to access material that is inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or potentially offensive to some people.

As with any other area, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.

During College, teachers will guide students towards appropriate material. At home, families bear the same responsibility for guidance as they exercise with other information sources such as television, telephones, films and radio.

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GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE NETWORK IN MANOR COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

GENERAL

  • I will only use ICT systems in college, including the internet, e-mail, digital video, mobile technologies, etc. for college purposes.

  • I will behave responsibly in the computer rooms and treat equipment and services with respect.

  • I know that eating and drinking is strictly prohibited in the computer rooms.

  • Printing is expensive, so it should be used carefully.

  • Images/videos of pupils and/or staff will only be taken, stored and used for college purposes inline with college policy and not be distributed outside the college network without the permission of the Headteacher.

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE

  • I will report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened.

  • Under no circumstances will I open, in any way tamper with, or attempt to move any item of College equipment.

  • I know I must not disconnect or alter device connections.

  • I understand it is a criminal offence to copy software such as that stored on the College network.

  • Under no circumstances will I attempt to install any software on the College network.

  • I know that College ICT systems are for learning and I will not use them for personal use or fun unless I have permission. This includes making large downloads/uploads, playing games, shopping and video broadcasting.

NETWORK/INTERNET

  • I will ensure that my online activity, both in college and outside college, will not cause my college, the staff, pupils or others distress or bring it into disrepute.

  • I will not attempt to bypass the College filtering system.

  • I will only logon to my account and I will keep my passwords secure.

  • I will only open or delete my own files.

  • I understand that I must not bring into school and use software or files without permission.

  • I will not attempt to gain access to any network area other than those specifically allocated by legitimate access rules.

  • I will regularly backup my work (the College is not responsible for any loss of data. Students in years 10 and 11 are particularly encouraged to keep duplicates of coursework in their own user areas).

  • I know that browsing, viewing or downloading inappropriate material is strictly forbidden and will result in network privileges being withdrawn.

  • I understand that all my use of the Internet and other related technologies can be monitored and logged and can be made available to my teachers.

  • I will not send offensive or abusive email/data as this will result in network privileges being withdrawn. Parents will appreciate that abusive email can be construed as bullying and as such will be dealt with accordingly.

  • User areas will be randomly scanned for filenames which are abusive and data which is not for student use –e.g. games files, screen savers, software installation files. This list denotes examples only and is not to be considered a complete list. If I am unsure of any file type I will seek guidance from a member of staff before attempting to save it on the network.

  • I will only e-mail and open attachments from people I know, or my teacher has approved.

  • The messages I send will be polite and sensible.

  • I understand that I must never give my home address or phone number, or arrange to meet someone.

  • If I see anything I am unhappy with or I receive messages I do not like, I will tell a teacher immediately.

  • I understand that the school may check my computer files, e-mails I send and the Internet sites I visit.

  • I understand the implications of breaking copyright law and will seek clarification if I am unsure when using images, videos or music in my work.

  • The College may exercise its right to monitor the use of the College’s computer systems, including access to web-sites, the interception of e-mail and the deletion of inappropriate materials where it believes unauthorized use of the College’s computer system is or may be taking place, or the system is or may be being used for criminal purposes or for storing unauthorised or unlawful text, imagery or sound.

  • I understand that if I deliberately break these rules, I may not be allowed to use the Internet or computers.

I understand that these rules are designed to keep me safe and that if they are not followed, college sanctions will be applied and my parent/ carer may be contacted.

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Manor College of Technolocy