Computer Usage Policy Agreement

The Internet (or World Wide Web—‘www’) is a global network of computers that communicate with one another, enabling access to a vast range of educational resources.

Lytchett Minster students have the opportunity to access the Internet as part of their studies, using computers in many areas of the school.  It can be a tool of limitless value, providing access to quality educational material from all over the world.  The school’s systems also have a wealth of educational programmes and data held locally.

However, the Internet is also home to a body of material that no parent would wish their child to view.  We have implemented a professional-grade filtering and monitoring service, which aims to ensure that none of this information can be accessed, and users cannot interact with others on the Internet who may not be who they claim to be.  The filtering service is not foolproof, however.  Consequently, users need to be aware of how to use the Internet and other school systems safely, legally and appropriately with regard to their own and others’ welfare.  This acceptable use policy outlines how users should, and should not, use the computer and Internet facilities provided by the school.

Lytchett Minster School monitors and records users’ computer and network activities, and the data that they access and store, to help guard against inappropriate or illegal use.

All users shall:

1. Use the Internet and school’s computers for educational purposes only.
2. Always ensure that, when they have finished working on a computer, they log off properly and leave the equipment as they would expect to find it.
3. Ensure emails are polite and contain all the usual levels of courtesy associated with a letter or direct conversation.
4. Report any breaches of the requirements in the following section to a member of teaching staff, who will inform the IT Department as appropriate.
5. Report any inappropriate site or material discovered on the Internet to a member of teaching staff, who will inform the IT Department.

All users shall not:

1. Play games on the school computers or Internet, except for educational purposes associated with lessons.
2. Dismantle, damage, disable or remove parts from computers or network equipment (e.g. mouse, keyboard cables, etc).
3. Intentionally waste resources (e.g. excessive printing, sending unnecessary emails).
4. Use school systems for commercial purposes (buying and selling).
5. Eat or drink near computer equipment.
6. Engage in ‘chat’ or ‘chatroom’ activities on the Internet.
7. Give any of their own or other people’s personal details (school, address, email address, phone number, picture, etc.) over the Internet.
8. Arrange to meet anyone over the Internet.
9. Disclose their password to others or use passwords intended for others. Users are responsible for all actions performed using their login name.
10. Attempt to guess other users’ passwords, bypass security in place, hack into, or alter settings on computers or the network.
11. Attempt to gain access to areas of the system for which they do not have the appropriate permissions.
12. Use any hacking or key/code cracking software.
13. Attach additional devices to the network.
14. Promote or attempt to spread viruses or any other malicious computer code/programmes.
15. Download computer programmes.
16. Attempt to use or install any programmes other than those installed on the system by the school.
17. Breach copyright law relating to computer software, music, video or other copyrighted material.
18. Create folders, use filenames, create documents or send emails that use offensive language.
19. Send, download or post any files, attachments, or pictures that contain offensive or illegal material.
20. Visit inappropriate sites, or download inappropriate material, such as those that may contain pornographic, violent, racist, hacking, illegal or offensive materials.
21. Store their own music, video or other data on the school network, unless it is specifically for educational use.
22. Open attachments to e-mails unless they know who has sent them and the sender is genuine.
23. Send or forward emails that contain pornographic, violent, racist, hacking, illegal or offensive materials.
24. Send or forward emails that contain bullying, threatening, offensive or insulting language.
25. Send or forward ‘spam’, chain, junk or nuisance emails.
26. Send emails to school staff unless requested to do so.
27. Use any web-based email system (e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.) or Instant Messaging (IM) system other than those provided by the school.
28. Attempt to connect their own personal laptop, PDA or any other device via cable, wireless, or any other means to the school network. Internet connections will not be available for any device which is not part of the school network.
29. Ignore any ‘virus detected’ message, or fail to act on the instructions within it.

The use of school computer systems and the Internet will be monitored and recorded, and this information may be passed to other relevant authorities (e.g. the police) if any illegal activity takes place.  This information is recorded against the user’s login name.

Misuse of school computer systems or the Internet will result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges, and in extreme cases, suspension or expulsion.