Together we achieve our best.

Introduction

Social networking activities conducted online outside work, such as blogging (writing personal journals to publicly accessible internet pages), involvement in social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, Twitter etc and posting material, images or comments on sites such as You Tube can have a negative effect on an organisation’s reputation or image. In addition, our academies have a firm commitment to safeguarding children in all aspects of its work. This policy has been written to set out the key principles and code of conduct that we expect of all members of staff, Trustees, parents & children with respect to their responsibilities in connection with the use of social networking sites.

Key Principles The aim of the policy is to ensure: that staff, volunteers and approved guests will be responsible users and stay safe while

using the internet and other communications technologies for educational, personal and recreational use.

that school ICT systems and users are protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users at risk.

that staff are protected from potential risk in their use of ICT in their everyday work Everyone at our academies have a responsibility to ensure that they protect the reputation of the academy, and to treat colleagues and members of the academy with professionalism and respect. (‘Everyone’ refers to children, staff, parents and carers, volunteers and Trustees.)

It is important to protect everyone at our academies from allegations and misinterpretations which can arise from the use of social networking sites. For this reason staff should not communicate with parents or children on any social networking site or accept an invitation to participate e.g. become “friends” on any social networking site.

Social Networking Policy

MAT Policy adopted: Review Frequency:

Next review date:

04.02.2020 Every two years

04.02.2022

Safeguarding children is a key responsibility of all members and it is essential that everyone at considers this and acts responsibly if they are using social networking sites out of the academy. Anyone working in one of our academies, either as a paid employee or volunteer, must not communicate with children via social networking sites. This policy relates to social networking outside work. Blogging and accessing social networking sites at work using academy equipment is not permitted.

This policy is not covered by the Chatham House rule and therefore no communications irrespective of their anonymity should be shared that relate to any specific event, protocol, pupil or person at our academies.

Code of Conduct for all employees, volunteers, students, trustees etc

– Social Networking

The following are not considered acceptable:

• The use of the academy’s name, logo or any other published material without written prior permission from the Executive Headteacher or Head of Academy. This applies to any published material including the internet or written documentation.

• The posting of any communication or images which links the academy to any form of illegal conduct or which may damage the reputation of the academy. This includes defamatory comments.

• The disclosure of confidential or business sensitive information; or the disclosure of information or images that could compromise the security of the academy.

• The posting of any images of employees, children, Trustees or anyone directly connected with the academy whilst engaged in academy activities.

In addition to the above everyone all staff must ensure that they:

Do not make any derogatory, defamatory, rude, threatening or inappropriate comments about the academy, or anyone at or concerned with the academy.

Use social networking site responsibly and ensure that neither their personal/professional reputation, or the academy’s reputation or that of individual members of staff is compromised by inappropriate postings.

Are aware of the potential of on-line identity fraud and to be cautious when giving out their personal information about themselves which may compromise their personal safety and security.

Potential and Actual Breaches of the code of conduct: In instances where there has been a breach of the above code of conduct, the following will apply:

• Any breaches of this policy will be fully investigated. Where it is found that there has been a breach of the policy this may result in action being taken under the Disciplinary Procedure. A breach of this policy will be considered to be a serious disciplinary offence which is also contrary to the academy’s ethos and principles.

• The Trust Board will take appropriate action in order to protect the academy’s reputation and that of its staff, parents, Trustees, children and anyone else linked directly to the academy.

The appendices are aligned with those found in the online safety policy.

Appendix 1: EYFS and KS1 acceptable use agreement (pupils and parents/carers)

ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE ACADEMY’S ICT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET: AGREEMENT FOR PUPILS AND PARENTS/CARERS

Name of pupil:

When I use the academy’s ICT systems (like computers) and get onto the internet in the academy I will:

Ask a teacher or adult if I can do so before using them

Only use websites that a teacher or adult has told me or allowed me to use

Tell my teacher immediately if:

o I click on a website by mistake

o I receive messages from people I don’t know

o I find anything that may upset or harm me or my friends

Use academy computers for academy work only

I will be kind to others and not upset or be rude to them

Look after the academy ICT equipment and tell a teacher straight away if something is broken or not working properly

Only use the username and password I have been given

Try my hardest to remember my username and password

Never share my password with anyone, including my friends.

Never give my personal information (my name, address or telephone numbers) to anyone without the permission of my teacher or parent/carer

Save my work on the academy network

Check with my teacher before I print anything

Log off or shut down a computer when I have finished using it

I agree that the academy will monitor the websites I visit and that there will be consequences if I don’t follow the rules.

Signed (pupil): Date:

Parent/carer agreement: I agree that my child can use the academy’s ICT systems and internet when appropriately supervised by a member of academy staff. I agree to the conditions set out above for pupils using the academy’s ICT systems and internet, and for using personal electronic devices in the academy, and will make sure my child understands these.

Signed (parent/carer): Date:

Appendix 2: KS2, acceptable use agreement (pupils and parents/carers)

ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE ACADEMY’S ICT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET: AGREEMENT FOR PUPILS AND PARENTS/CARERS

Name of pupil:

I will read and follow the rules in the acceptable use agreement policy

When I use the academy’s ICT systems (like computers) and get onto the internet in the academy I will:

Always use the academy’s ICT systems and the internet responsibly and for educational purposes only

Only use them when a teacher is present, or with a teacher’s permission

Keep my username and passwords safe and not share these with others

Keep my private information safe at all times and not give my name, address or telephone number to anyone without the permission of my teacher or parent/carer

Tell a teacher (or sensible adult) immediately if I find any material which might upset, distress or harm me or others

Always log off or shut down a computer when I’m finished working on it

I will not:

Access any inappropriate websites including: social networking sites, chat rooms and gaming sites unless my teacher has expressly allowed this as part of a learning activity

Open any attachments in emails, or follow any links in emails, without first checking with a teacher

Use any inappropriate language when communicating online, including in emails

Log in to the academy’s network using someone else’s details

Arrange to meet anyone offline without first consulting my parent/carer, or without adult supervision

If I bring a personal mobile phone or other personal electronic device in the academy (Y6 ONLY):

I will not use it during lessons, clubs or other activities organised by the academy, without a teacher’s permission

I agree that the academy will monitor the websites I visit and that there will be consequences if I don’t follow the rules.

Signed (pupil): Date:

Parent/carer’s agreement: I agree that my child can use the academy’s ICT systems and internet when appropriately supervised by a member of academy staff. I agree to the conditions set out above for pupils using the academy’s ICT systems and internet, and for using personal electronic devices in academy, and will make sure my child understands these.

Signed (parent/carer): Date:

Appendix 3: acceptable use agreement (staff, trustees, volunteers and visitors)

ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE ICT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET: AGREEMENT FOR STAFF, TRUSTEES,VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS

Name of staff member/trustee/volunteer/visitor:

When using the ICT systems and accessing the internet in the academy, or outside the academy on a work device (if applicable), I will not:

Access, or attempt to access inappropriate material, including but not limited to material of a violent, criminal or pornographic nature (or create, share, link to or send such material)

Use them in any way which could harm the trust reputation

Access social networking sites or chat rooms

Use any improper language when communicating online, including in emails or other messaging services

Install any unauthorised software, or connect unauthorised hardware or devices to the network

Share my password with others or log in to the academy network using someone else’s details

Take photographs of pupils on a academy device without permission from a teacher

Share confidential information about the academy, its pupils or staff, or other members of the community

Access, modify or share data I’m not authorised to access, modify or share

Promote private businesses, unless that business is directly related to the academy

I will only use the ICT systems and access the internet in the academy, or outside the academy on a work device, for educational purposes or for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of my role.

I agree that the academy will monitor the websites I visit and my use of the academy ICT facilities and systems.

I will take all reasonable steps to ensure that work devices are secure and password-protected when using them outside the academy, and keep all data securely stored in accordance with this policy and the academy’s data protection policy.

I will let the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and ICT manager know if a pupil informs me they have found any material which might upset, distress or harm them or others, and will also do so if I encounter any such material.

I will always use the academy’s ICT systems and internet responsibly, and ensure that pupils in my care do so too.

Signed (staff member/trustee/volunteer/visitor):

Date:

Appendix 4: online safety training needs – self audit for staff

ONLINE SAFETY TRAINING NEEDS AUDIT

Name of staff member/volunteer: Date:

Question Yes/No (add comments if necessary)

Do you know the name of the person who has lead responsibility for online safety in the academy?

Do you know what you must do if a pupil approaches you with a concern or issue?

Are you familiar with the academy’s acceptable use agreement for staff, volunteers, trustees and visitors?

Are you familiar with the academy’s acceptable use agreement for pupils and parents?

Do you regularly change your password for accessing the academy’s ICT systems?

Are you familiar with the academy’ approach to tackling cyber-bullying?

Are there any areas of online safety in which you would like training/further training?

Appendix 5: online safety incident report log

ONLINE SAFETY INCIDENT LOG

Date Where the incident took place

Description of the incident

Action taken Name and signature of staff member recording the incident