Below is a copy of Radcliffe Riverside School Acceptable Use Policy. This document governs the way in which we expect our students to behave when using or accessing our network facilities, whether locally or remotely. The safety of our staff and students in the virtual domain is of paramount importance and we take any breach of security or misuse of our network facilities very seriously. All students are expected to read through this agreement and sign it along with a parent or guardian. Due to the speed of current technological developments, Radcliffe Riverside School reserves the right to update this agreement as and when required. We therefore ask that all students refer to this document on a regular basis in case of change / updates. If there is anything you do not understand, please consult a member of staff.
Terms And Conditions of this agreement
1. Personal Responsibility
As a representative of Radcliffe Riverside School, You will accept personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of the network and email facilities to a staff member. Misuse may come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any message(s) sent or received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal requests, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, any use which may be likely to cause offence and other issues described below.
2. Acceptable Use
The use of electronic services must be in support of education and research in accordance with the educational goals and objectives of Radcliffe Riverside School. You are personally responsible for this provision at all times when using the electronic information service. Use of other networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate to that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any United Kingdom or other national laws is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material or material protected by trade laws. Use of commercial activities by for-profit organisations is generally not acceptable.
3. Privileges
The use of the Internet and other electronic services is a privilege and inappropriate use will result in that privilege being withdrawn. Students with access to the Internet will participate in a discussion with a member of the school staff as to proper behaviour and use of the facilities. Radcliffe Riverside School staff will rule upon inappropriate use and may deny, revoke or suspend usage.
4. Bullying, Network Etiquette and Privacy
Use of threatening language or any other language with intent to cause distress or intimidate another is strictly prohibited. Bullying can take many forms online any this is something the School will not tolerate. Any student using the network to cause distress to another will be denied access to the system and be subject to disciplinary action. You are expected to treat any other person on the network (global or local) with the respect to which they are entitled.. You are also expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette These rules include, but are not limited to the following:
BE POLITE.
Never send or encourage others to send abusive messages.
USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.
Remember that you are a representative of the school on a global public system. You may be alone with your computer, but what you say and do can be viewed by others. Never swear, use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities of any kind are strictly forbidden.
PRIVACY.
Do not reveal any personal information to anyone, especially the home address, email address or personal telephone of yourself or any other students.
PASSWORD.
Do not reveal your password to anyone. If you think someone has obtained your password, contact a member of the IT department immediately.
ELECTRONIC MAIL.
Electronic mail (e-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to, or in support of, illegal activities may be reported to the authorities. Radcliffe Riverside School will not tolerate the misuse of it's email facilities. All of the email facilities we provide will be closely monitored.
DISRUPTIONS.
Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt use of the services by others.
BULLYING.
Do not use the network in any way that may cause distress to another. Any unauthorised electronic communication with intent to cause anxiety or distress to another is strictly forbidden. Whilst we expect all students to report this type of activity to an appropriate member of staff (in confidence), you should understand that this may not be necessary as we constantly monitor and log all students network / electronic activity.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Be brief.
Few people will bother to read a long message. Proof read your message to ensure that it is error free and easy to understand. Remember that humour and satire are very often misinterpreted. Cite references for any facts that you present. Respect the rights and beliefs of others.
5. Services
Radcliffe Riverside School makes no warranties of any kind whether expressed or implied, for the network service it is providing. Radcliffe Riverside School will not be responsible for any damages suffered whilst on this system. These damages include loss of data as a result of delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by the system or elements of the system, or your errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the network or other information systems is at your own risk. Radcliffe Riverside School specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained via its Internet services.
6. Security
Security on any computer system is a high priority because there are so many users. If you identify a security problem, notify a member of the IT staff at once. Never demonstrate the problem to another student. All use of the system must be under your own username and password unless specifically directed by a member of staff. Remember to keep your password to yourself. Do not share it with friends. Anyone caught disclosing passwords may have their access denied and may be subject to disciplinary action. Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to the system and be subject to disciplinary action.
7. Vandalism and Network Abuse
Vandalism and network abuse is defined as any malicious attempt to disrupt, harm or destroy any equipment or data of another user or of any other networks that are connected to the system. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses, the wilful damage of computer hardware, whether connected to the network or not, the deletion of data from its place of storage or any attempt to disrupt or gain unauthorised access to the School network, website or any other School property (whether successful or not).
NB: All school network security is designed and configured with the safety of
our students and staff in mind. The use of third party applications, websites
or bespoke code with the specific intention of interfering with, or bypassing
any of our network security applications is strictly prohibited.
Disciplinary action will be taken in all cases and may include permanent removal
of all network privileges. In severe cases, disciplinary action may include permanent expulsion and the matter will be handled by the Hi-tec Crime Unit (GMP).
8. Severe Network Abuse
In the case of severe network abuse (especially that carried out remotely ie: beyond the school gates), disciplinary action may include permanent expulsion and the matter will be handled by the Hi-tec Crime Unit (GMP). Severe network abuse includes any activity deemed illegal under UK law. Laws designed to protect UK companies and institutions against malicious activity on the global network include, but are not limited to: The Computer Misuse Act (1990 Sect.1) and The Communications Act (2003 Sect. 127). To summarise, these law protects against any form of remote malicious activity however the full text can be viewed by visiting this website : http://www.hmso.gov.uk/
9. Online Ordering systems
One of the many facilities available via the Internet, is the ability to order goods and services whilst online. Because of the security and other ethical issues attached to this facility, Radcliffe Riverside School has a moral responsibility in this area. It is therefore strictly forbidden for students to use the Internet for ordering goods or services regardless of their nature. In addition it is also forbidden for students to subscribe to any newsletter, catalogue or other form of correspondence via the Internet, regardless of its nature.
10. Electronic Mail
Electronic mail (email) is widely available via the Internet and may also be provided by the School. Students are expected to use this facility in a responsible manner and any account the School might provide will be monitored and controlled. The sending or receiving of any School email, which contains any inappropriate material, is strictly forbidden. This material includes, but is not limited to, pornography, unethical or illegal requests, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, any use which may be likely to cause offence. Disciplinary action will be taken in all cases. It is also forbidden to send large volume Emails (Spamming).
11. Chat Services
Students are permitted to use the chat services available on the School website and the Internet, subject to certain conditions.
All activity on the School website chat rooms is monitored and logged by the School.
Chat services are to be used only during student's free time or when instructed during a lesson. This does not extend to "free" periods, which are to be used for private study.
Members of staff will monitor the use of this service. If it is found that the system is being abused, this facility may be withdrawn without notice.
© Radcliffe Riverside 2008
