Responsible Network Usage

The school computer system provides Internet access to students and staff. This responsible Internet Use statement will help protect students, staff and other users with access to the PVS network, and the school by clearly stating what is acceptable and what is not.

Irresponsible use may result in loss of Internet / E-mail access.

Irresponsible use includes the following among other inappropriate uses:

• Accessing web based email facilities such as MSN or Hotmail
• Accessing public chat rooms
• Downloading inappropriate material
• Sending of spam emails
• Sending of inappropriate emails
• Use of offensive or upsetting language within emails

Access must only be made via the user’s authorised account and password, which must not be given to any other person.

If you decide to give out your password or allow others to see you typing it, you will be held responsible for any activity that takes place on your account.

Internet and Email use is only permitted under the supervision of a member of staff. Computer and Internet/Email use in lesson time must be appropriate to the student’s education. In the unlikely event of you accessing an inappropriate site accidentally inform the supervising adult immediately.

If you find anything that seems to be offensive or inappropriate YOU MUST inform a member of staff at that time. Should you later be found with details of having viewed these pages, you will be sanctioned as having viewed them intentionally.

Copyright and intellectual property rights must be respected.

Any work used from the Internet must be correctly credited to the author.

Email should be written carefully and politely. As messages may be forwarded, email is best regarded as public property. Anonymous messages and chain letters should not be sent.

For your continued safety, the school will monitor at random email messages sent and received in order to prevent inappropriate usage.

Information containing personal details (e.g. names and addresses) must never be sent or posted on websites.

This is for your safety and protection!

The use of public chat rooms is not allowed.

Again, for your safety and protection!

The school ICT systems may not be used for private purposes, unless the Headteacher has given permission for that use.

Use for financial gain. Gambling, political purposes or advertising is strictly forbidden.

All floppy discs and removable media are to be virus checked before use with the network manager.

ICT system security must be respected, it is a criminal offence to use a computer for a purpose not permitted by the system owner.

The school may exercise its rights by electronic means to monitor the use of the school’s computer systems, including the monitoring of web sites, the interception of emails and the deletion of inappropriate materials in circumstances where it believes unauthorised use of the school’s computer system is or may be taking place, or the system is or may be being used for criminal purposes or for storing text or imagery which is unauthorised or unlawful.

External Monitoring

Internet access to PVS is provided by South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL).
In order to ensure continued safety and responsible usage, SWGfL are with effect from September 2006 monitoring ALL Internet usage in schools across the county. In the event of finding inappropriate materials as detailed previous section they will contact the relevant authorities rather than the school directly and potentially lead to Police involvement.

School Equipment

Under no circumstances is it permitted for students to tamper with, disconnect or in any way alter the school system and related equipment. This includes the moving of mice, keyboards and monitors. Any damage incurred as a result of a breach of this rule will lead to a bill for repair or replacement as clearly stated by the school’s governing body.

Desktop Backgrounds

Due to the demands placed on the servers by the use of background images on your account, desktop backgrounds must be removed with immediate effect. This is in order to retain the efficient and reliable network we currently all enjoy.