Scoil Bhride BNS

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Scoil Bhride
Tullamore

Scoil Bhride has signed up to the broadband
Programme for schools 2005.
In effect, this means that Scoil Bhride students will have access to high-speed broadband internet access in a centrally located I.T. room.
It is important that the School authorities have an Internet Acceptable policy in place, prior to commencement of the programme.

This version of the AUP for Scoil Bhride was created in November ’04 by John Healy (ICT co-ordinator) in conjunction with Scoil Bhride B.O.M. and Parent representatives.

This policy was reviewed in 2009, by J. Healy, I.T. coordinator.

Aim:
The aim of this Acceptable Use Policy is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning
opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources in a safe and effective manner.
Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the
School AUP is not adhered to this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions
–as outlined in the AUP – will be imposed.
It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the AUP annually.
Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are
accepted and understood.

School’s Strategy

The school will employ a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities
and reduce risks associated with the Internet. These strategies are as follows:

General

•Internet sessions will always be supervised by a teacher.
•Filtering software and/or equivalent systems will be used in order to minimise
the risk of exposure to inappropriate material.
•The school will regularly monitor pupils ’Internet usage.
•Students and teachers will be provided with training in the area of Internet
safety.
•Uploading and downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted.
•Virus protection software will be used and updated on a regular basis.
•The use of personal floppy disks or CD-ROMs in school requires a teacher’s
permission.
•Students will observe good "netiquette"(i.e., etiquette on the Internet) at all
times and will not undertake any actions that may bring the school into
disrepute.

World Wide Web

•Students will not visit Internet sites that contain obscene, illegal, hateful or
otherwise objectionable materials.
•Students will use the Internet for educational purposes only.
•Students will be familiar with copyright issues relating to online learning.
•Students will never disclose or publicise personal information.
•Students will be aware that any usage, including distributing or receiving
information, school-related or personal, may be monitored for unusual activity,
security and/or network management reasons.

Email

•Students will use approved class email accounts under supervision by or
permission from a teacher.
•Students will not send or receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory
or that is intended to annoy or intimidate another person.
•Students will not reveal their own or other people’s personal details, such as
addresses or telephone numbers or pictures.
•Students will never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know
through emails or the Internet.
•Students will note that sending and receiving email attachments is subject to
permission from their teacher.

Internet Chat

•Students will only have access to chat rooms, discussion forums or other
electronic communication forums that have been approved by the school.
•Chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communication forums will
only be used for educational purposes and will always be supervised.
•Usernames will be used to avoid disclosure of identity.
•Face-to-face meetings with someone organised via Internet chat will be forbidden.

School Website

•Pupils will be given the opportunity to publish projects, artwork or school work on
the World Wide Web.
•The publication of student work will be co-ordinated by a teacher.
•Pupils ’work will appear in an educational context on Web pages with a copyright
notice prohibiting the copying of such work without express written permission.
• Photographs, audio and video clips will
focus on group activities. Video clips may be password protected.
•Personal pupil information including home address and contact details will be
omitted from school web pages.
•Pupils will continue to own the copyright on any work published.

Legislation

The following legislation relates to use of the
Internet which teachers, students and parents should familiarise themselves with:
•Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003
•Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998
•Interception Act 1993
•Video Recordings Act 1989
•The Data Protection Act 1988

Sanctions

Misuse of the Internet may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings,
withdrawal of access privileges and, in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion. The school
also reserves the right to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities.