This policy sets out expectations for all Co-op Academies Trust community members’ online behaviour, attitudes and activities and use of digital technology.

All Co-op Academies aim to:

Have robust processes in place to ensure the online safety of students, colleagues, volunteers, and visitors
Identify and support groups of students that are potentially at greater risk of harm online than others
Establish clear mechanisms to identify, intervene and escalate an incident, where appropriate
Deliver an effective approach to online safety, which empowers us to protect and educate the whole academy community in its use of technology, including mobile and smart technology (which we refer to as ‘mobile phones’)

All Co-op Academies adopt an approach to online safety that is based on addressing the following categories of risk:

Content – being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful content, such as pornography, fake news, racism, misogyny, self-harm, suicide, antisemitism, radicalisation and extremism
Contact – being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users, such as peer-to-peer pressure, commercial advertising and adults posing as children or young adults with the intention to groom or exploit them for sexual, criminal, financial or other purposes
Conduct – personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm, such as making, sending and receiving explicit images (e.g. consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi-nudes and/or pornography), sharing other explicit images and online bullying; and
Commerce – risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing and/or financial scams

2. Legislation and guidance

This policy is based on the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and its advice for schools on:

Teaching online safety in schools
Preventing and tackling bullying and cyber-bullying: advice for headteachers and school staff
Relationships and sex education
Searching, screening and confiscation

It also refers to the DfE’s guidance on protecting children from radicalisation.

It reflects existing legislation, including but not limited to the Education Act 1996 (as amended), the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the Equality Act 2010. In addition, it reflects the Education Act 2011, which has given teachers stronger powers to tackle cyber-bullying by, if necessary, searching for and deleting inappropriate images or files on students’ electronic devices where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so.

The policy also takes into account the National Curriculum programmes of study.

This policy complies with our funding agreement and articles of association.

It is designed to sit alongside academies’ statutory Safeguarding and Child Protection policies and Behaviour policies, our Trust’s Colleague Code of Conduct and our Trust’s Data Protection Policy, and Trust Social Media policy.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Our Trust is a community and all members have a duty to behave respectfully online and offline, to use technology for teaching and learning and to prepare for life after school, and to immediately report any concerns or inappropriate behaviour, to protect staff, students, families and the reputation of the Trust and its academies. We learn together, make honest mistakes together and support each other in a world that is online and offline at the same time.

3.1 Trust Safeguarding Lead

The Trust’s Safeguarding Lead has overall responsibility for monitoring this policy and holding academy leaders to account for its implementation. The Safeguarding Lead will receive regular reports on the implementation of the policy from the Designated Safeguarding Lead via the Regional Safeguarding Leads, and will report on the implementation of this policy to the Trust Board on an annual basis as part of their annual safeguarding report.

The Trust’s Safeguarding Lead will ensure that, where necessary, teaching about safeguarding, including online safety, is adapted for vulnerable children, victims of abuse and some students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is because of the importance of recognising that a ‘one size fits all’ approach may not be appropriate for all children in all situations, and a more personalised or contextualised approach may often be more suitable

3.2 The Headteacher

The headteacher is responsible for implementing the policy, ensuring that:

all stakeholders understand this policy
the policy is being implemented consistently throughout the academy
all colleagues have appropriate online safety training
staff understand their expectations, roles and responsibilities around filtering and monitoring
all staff undergo online safety training, receive regular online safety updates (via email, e-bulletins and staff meetings), as required and at least annually, to ensure they are continually provided with the relevant skills and knowledge to effectively safeguard children
children are taught how to keep themselves and others safe, including keeping safe online
the academy has appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place on academy devices and academy networks, and will regularly review their effectiveness; this will include reviewing the DfE filtering and monitoring standards, and discussing with IT staff and service providers what needs to be done to support the academy in meeting the standards, which include:

Identifying and assigning roles and responsibilities to manage filtering and monitoring systems;
Reviewing filtering and monitoring provisions at least annually;
Blocking harmful and inappropriate content without unreasonably impacting teaching and learning;
Having effective monitoring strategies in place that meet their safeguarding needs.

Key responsibilities:

Liaise with the designated safeguarding lead on all online-safety issues which might arise and receive regular updates on academy issues and broader policy and practice information
Support safeguarding leads and technical staff as they review protections for students who may be accessing remote learning
Ensure that, where necessary, teaching about safeguarding, including online safety, is adapted for vulnerable children, victims of abuse and some students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is because of the importance of recognising that a ‘one size fits all’ approach may not be appropriate for all children in all situations, and a more personalised or contextualised approach may often be more suitable
Take overall responsibility for data management and information security ensuring the academy’s provision follows best practice in information handling; work with the academy’s Data Protection Ambassador, DSL and governors to ensure a UK GDPR-compliant framework for storing data, but helping to ensure that child protection is always put first and data-protection processes support careful and legal sharing of information
Ensure the academy implements and makes effective use of appropriate IT systems and services including school-safe filtering and monitoring, protected email systems and that all technology including cloud systems are implemented according to child-safety first principles
Ensure the Trust’s Safeguarding Lead is updated as needed on the nature and effectiveness of the academy’s arrangements for online safety

3.3 The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Details of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputies are set out in the academy’s child protection and safeguarding policy, as well as relevant job descriptions.

The DSL takes lead responsibility for online safety in the academy, in particular:

Supporting the headteacher in ensuring that staff understand this policy and that it is being implemented consistently throughout the academy
Taking the lead on understanding the filtering and monitoring systems and processes in place on academy devices and academy networks
Managing all online safety issues and incidents in line with the academy’s child protection policy
Ensuring that online safety incidents of a safeguarding nature are logged on CPOMS and dealt with appropriately
Ensuring that any incidents of cyberbullying are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with the academy behaviour policy
Ensure a zero-tolerance, whole school approach to incidents of child on child sexual abuse or sexual harm where this behaviour takes place through the use of technology, in line with Keeping Children Safe Part 5 and the academy behaviour policy
Work with the HT and IT staff to review protections for students in the home and remote-learning procedures, rules and safeguards
Updating and delivering (or organising) staff training on online safety
Providing regular reports on online safety in the academy to the headteacher and/or governing board (i.e. an annual online safety review)
This list is not intended to be exhaustive

3.4a Central IT Team

Responsible for:

Putting in place an appropriate level of security protection procedures, including filtering and monitoring systems on academy devices and academy networks, which are reviewed and updated at least annually to assess effectiveness and ensure students are kept safe from potentially harmful and inappropriate content and contact online while at academy, including terrorist and extremist material
Ensuring that the academy’s IT systems are secure and protected against viruses and malware, and that such safety mechanisms are updated regularly
Conducting daily, weekly and termly checks to ensure the academy’s IT systems are updated and providing protection for end users.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

3.4b Regional IT Manager/Network Manager/Technician/Apprentice

Responsibilities as listed in the ‘all staff’ section, plus:

Support and advise on the implementation of the filtering and monitoring software.
To report online-safety related issues that come to their attention to the DSL and our Trust’s Central IT team
Keep up to date with our Trust’s Online Safety Policy and technical information in order to effectively carry out their online safety role and to inform and update others as relevant
Liaise with relevant staff to see how the online-safety curriculum can complement the academy IT system and vice versa, and ensure no conflicts between educational messages and practice.
Work closely with the designated safeguarding lead academy Data Protection Ambassador to ensure that academy systems and networks reflect academy policy
Ensure the above stakeholders understand the consequences of existing services and of any changes to these systems (especially in terms of access to personal and sensitive records / data) and to systems such as YouTube mode, web filtering settings, sharing permissions for files on cloud platforms etc
Maintain up-to-date documentation of the academy’s online security and technical procedures
Manage the academy’s systems, networks and devices, according to a strict password policy, with systems in place for detection of misuse and malicious attack, with adequate protection, encryption and backup for data, including disaster recovery plans, and auditable access controls
Support the HT and DSL team as they review protections for students in the home and remote-learning procedures, rules and safeguards

3.5 All Colleagues and Volunteers

All colleagues, including contractors and agency staff, and volunteers, including members of the academy’s community council are responsible for:

Understanding that online safety is a core part of safeguarding; as such it is part of everyone’s job
Maintaining an understanding of this policy
Implementing this policy consistently
Agreeing and adhering to the terms on acceptable use of the academy’s ICT systems and the internet (appendix 2), and ensuring that students follow the academy’s terms on acceptable use (Appendix 2)
Knowing that the DSL has oversight of the filtering and monitoring systems and processes, and being aware of how to report any incidents of those systems or processes failing by reporting these directly to the DSL
Recording online-safety incidents in the same way as any safeguarding incident and report in accordance with academy procedures using CPOMS
Following the correct procedures by liaising with the IT team if they need to bypass the filtering and monitoring systems for educational purposes
Working with the DSL to ensure that any online safety incidents are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy
Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are dealt with appropriately in line with the academy behaviour policy
Carefully supervising and guiding students when engaged in learning activities involving online technology and recognise the importance of human monitoring to safeguarding children whilst using devices.
Responding appropriately to all reports and concerns about sexual violence and/or harassment, both online and offline, and maintaining an attitude of ‘it could happen here’
Modelling safe, responsible and professional behaviours in their own use of technology. This includes outside the academy hours and site, and on social media, in all aspects upholding the reputation of the academy and of the professional reputation of all colleagues

This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

3.6 Parents and Carers

Parents/carers are expected to:

Monitor their children’s online activity closely
Consult with the academy if they have any concerns about their children’s and others’ use of technology
Ensure their child has read, understood and agreed to the terms on acceptable use of the academy’s ICT systems and internet (appendices 1 and 2)
Promote positive online safety and model safe, responsible, respectful and positive behaviours in their own use of technology, including on social media: not sharing other’s images or details without permission and refraining from posting negative, threatening or violent comments about others, including the academy staff, volunteers, governors, contractors, students or other parents/carers.
Encourage children to engage fully and safely in home-learning during any period where this may be required.

Parents/carers can seek further guidance on keeping children safe online from the following organisations and websites:

What are the issues? – UK Safer Internet Centre
Hot topics – Childnet
Parent resource sheet – Childnet

3.7 Visitors and Members of the Community

Key responsibilities:

Follow any instructions or guidance given in relation to use of academy technology or the internet within the academy
Report any concerns, no matter how small, to the designated safety lead
Maintain an awareness of current online safety issues and guidance
Model safe, responsible and professional behaviours in their own use of technology at the academy and as part of remote teaching or any online communications
Note that a contractor should never attempt to arrange any meeting, including tutoring sessions, without the full prior knowledge and approval of the academy, and will never do so directly with a pupil. The same applies to any private/direct communication with a pupil.

4. Educating students about Online Safety

students will be taught about online safety as part of the curriculum:

All academies have to teach:

Relationships education and health education in primary schools
Relationships and sex education and health education in secondary schools

In KS3, students will be taught to:

Understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy
Recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and know how to report concerns

students in KS4 will be taught:

To understand how changes in technology affect safety, including new ways to protect their online privacy and identity
How to report a range of concerns

By the end of secondary school, students will know:

Their rights, responsibilities and opportunities online, including that the same expectations of behaviour apply in all contexts, including online
About online risks, including that any material someone provides to another has the potential to be shared online and the difficulty of removing potentially compromising material placed online
Not to provide material to others that they would not want shared further and not to share personal material that is sent to them
What to do and where to get support to report material or manage issues online
The impact of viewing harmful content
That specifically sexually explicit material (e.g. pornography) presents a distorted picture of sexual behaviours, can damage the way people see themselves in relation to others, and negatively affect how they behave towards sexual partners
That sharing and viewing indecent images of children (including those created by children) is a criminal offence that carries severe penalties including jail
How information and data is generated, collected, shared and used online
How to identify harmful behaviours online (including bullying, abuse or harassment) and how to report, or find support, if they have been affected by those behaviours
How people can actively communicate and recognise consent from others, including sexual consent, and how and when consent can be withdrawn (in all contexts, including online)

5. Educating Parents/Carers about Online Safety

The academy will periodically raise parents’/carers’ awareness of internet safety (including issues and best practice) in letters or other communications home, and in information via our website. This policy will also be shared with parents/carers.

The academy will let parents/carers know:

What systems the academy uses to filter and monitor online use
What their children are being asked to do online, including the sites they will be asked to access and who from the academy (if anyone) their child will be interacting with online

If parents/carers have any queries or concerns in relation to online safety, these should be raised in the first instance with the headteacher and/or the DSL.

Concerns or queries about this policy can be raised with any member of staff or the headteacher.

6. Handling online-safety concerns and incidents

Procedures for dealing with online-safety concerns or incidents will be mostly detailed in the following policies (primarily in the first key document):

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy
Behaviour Policy (including academy sanctions)
PREVENT - Risk Assessment / Policy
Data Protection Policy, agreements and other documentation (e.g. privacy statement and consent forms for data sharing, image use etc)
Colleague Code of Conduct

Co-op Academies Trust commits to take all reasonable precautions to ensure online safety, but recognises that incidents will occur both inside the academy and outside the academy (and that incidents outside the academy may continue to impact students when they come into the academy or during extended periods away from the academy). All members of the academy are encouraged to report issues swiftly to allow us to deal with them quickly and sensitively through the academy’s escalation processes.

Any suspected online risk or infringement should be reported to the online safety lead / designated safeguarding lead on the same day – where clearly urgent, it will be made by the end of the lesson.

Any concern/allegation about staff misuse is always referred directly to the Headteacher, unless the concern is about the Headteacher in which case the complaint is referred to the Regional Director and/or Chair of Governors. Where appropriate, the LADO (Local Authority’s Designated Officer) should also be informed. Staff may also use the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline.

The academy will actively seek support from other agencies as needed (i.e. the local authority, LGfL, UK Safer Internet Centre’s Professionals’ Online Safety Helpline (POSH), NCA CEOP, Prevent Officer, Police, IWF). We will inform parents/carers of online-safety incidents involving their children, and the Police where staff or students engage in or are subject to behaviour which we consider is particularly disturbing or breaks the law (particular procedures are in place for sexting and upskirting; see section below).

The academy should evaluate whether reporting procedures are adequate for any future closures/lockdowns/isolation etc and make alternative provisions in advance where these might be needed.

Actions where there are concerns about a child:

Staff should follow their academy Safeguarding and Child Protection policy if they are concerned about the safety of a pupil at the academy and report their concerns to the DSL using CPOMS.

Sexting - sharing nudes and semi-nudes:

All academies (regardless of phase) should refer to the updated UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) guidance on sexting - now referred to as Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings to avoid unnecessary criminalisation of children. NB - where one of the parties is over 18, this is no longer sexting but child sexual abuse.

There is a one-page overview called Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: how to respond to an incident for all staff (not just classroom-based staff) to read, in recognition of the fact that it is mostly someone other than the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or online safety lead to first become aware of an incident, and it is vital that the correct steps are taken. Colleagues other than the DSL must not attempt to view, share or delete the image or ask anyone else to do so, but to go straight to the DSL.

The academy DSL will in turn use the full guidance document, Sharing nudes and semi-nudes – advice for educational settings to decide next steps and whether other agencies need to be involved.

1. The incident involves an adult

2. There is reason to believe that a child or young person has been coerced, blackmailed or groomed, or there are concerns about their capacity to consent (for example, owing to special educational needs)

3. What you know about the images or videos suggests the content depicts sexual acts which are unusual for the young person’s developmental stage, or are violent

4. The images involves sexual acts and any pupil in the images or videos is under 13

5. You have reason to believe a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm owing to the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes, for example, they are presenting as suicidal or self-harming

It is important that everyone understands that whilst sexting is illegal, students/students can come and talk to members of staff if they have made a mistake or had a problem in this area.

The documents referenced above and materials to support teaching about sexting can be found at sexting.lgfl.net

Upskirting

It is important that everyone understands that upskirting (taking a photo of someone under their clothing, not necessarily a skirt) is now a criminal offence, as highlighted in Keeping Children Safe in Education and that students/students can come and talk to members of staff if they have made a mistake or had a problem in this area.

Bullying

Online bullying should be treated like any other form of bullying and the academy anti-bullying policy should be followed for online bullying, which may also be referred to as cyberbullying, including issues arising from banter.

Materials to support teaching about bullying and useful Department for Education guidance and case studies are at bullying.lgfl.net.

7. Examining Electronic Devices

The headteacher, and any member of SLT or expressly designated staff, can carry out a search and confiscate any electronic device that they have reasonable grounds for suspecting:

Poses a risk to staff or students, and/or
Is identified in the academy rules as a banned item for which a search can be carried out, and/or
Is evidence in relation to an offence

Before a search, if the authorised staff member is satisfied that they have reasonable grounds for suspecting any of the above, they will also:

Make an assessment of how urgent the search is, and consider the risk to other students and staff. If the search is not urgent, they will seek advice from the headteacher or DSL.
Explain to the pupil why they are being searched, how the search will happen, and give them the opportunity to ask questions about it
Seek the pupil’s co-operation

Authorised staff members may examine, and in exceptional circumstances erase, any data or files on an electronic device that they have confiscated where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so.

When deciding whether there is a ‘good reason’ to examine data or files on an electronic device, the staff member should reasonably suspect that the device has, or could be used to:

Cause harm, and/or
Undermine the safe environment of the academy or disrupt teaching, and/or
Commit an offence

If inappropriate material is found on the device, it is up to the Deputy Headteacher or Headteacher to decide on a suitable response, in accordance with the behaviour policy. If there are images, data or files on the device that staff reasonably suspect are likely to put a person at risk, they will first consider the appropriate safeguarding response.

When deciding if there is a good reason to erase data or files from a device, staff members will consider if the material may constitute evidence relating to a suspected offence. In these instances, they will not delete the material, and the device will be handed to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. If the material is not suspected to be evidence in relation to an offence, staff members may delete it if:

They reasonably suspect that its continued existence is likely to cause harm to any person, and/or
The pupil and/or the parent/carer refuses to delete the material themselves

If a staff member suspects a device may contain an indecent image of a child (also known as a nude or semi-nude image), they will:

Not view the image
Confiscate the device and report the incident to the DSL (or equivalent) immediately, who will decide what to do next. The DSL will make the decision in line with the DfE’s latest guidance on screening, searching and confiscation and the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) guidance on sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people

Any searching of students will be carried out in line with:

The DfE’s latest guidance on searching, screening and confiscation
UKCIS guidance on sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people
Our behaviour policy / searches and confiscation policy

Any complaints about searching for or deleting inappropriate images or files on students’ electronic devices will be dealt with through the academy complaints procedure.

8. Artificial intelligence (AI)

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now widespread and easy to access. Staff, students and parents/carers may be familiar with generative chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Bard.

Co-op Academies Trust recognises that AI has many uses to help students learn, but may also have the potential to be used to bully others. For example, in the form of 'deepfakes', where AI is used to create images, audio or video hoaxes that look real. This includes deepfake pornography: pornographic content created using AI to include someone’s likeness.

Co-op Academies Trust will treat any use of AI to bully students in line with our anti-bullying and behaviour policy.

Staff should be aware of the risks of using AI tools whilst they are still being developed and should carry out a risk assessment where new AI tools are being used by our trust.

9. Acceptable Use of the Internet in School

All students, parents/carers, staff, volunteers and governors are expected to sign an agreement regarding the acceptable use of the academy’s ICT systems and the internet (samples are available in appendix 1 to 2). Visitors will be expected to read and agree to the academy’s terms on acceptable use if relevant.

Use of the academy’s internet must be for educational purposes only, or for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of an individual’s role.

We will monitor the websites visited by students, staff, volunteers, governors and visitors (where relevant) to ensure they comply with the above and restrict access through filtering systems where appropriate.

More information is set out in the acceptable use agreements in appendices 1 to 3.

10. students Using Mobile Devices in School

Individual academies are responsible for setting out and communicating the details of personal device usage e.g. whether or not students / students are able to bring their mobile phones to school and when they are allowed to use them. Academies should follow this guidance when setting their policy Guidance for Mobile phones in schools.

The academy should consider that students may have access to 3G, 4G and 5G phone networks which may result in students being sexually harassed, bullied and controlled via their mobile and smart technology, share indecent images consensually and non-consensually (via large chat groups) and view and share pornography and other harmful content.

11. Staff Using Work Devices Outside School

All staff members will take appropriate steps to ensure their devices remain secure. This includes, but is not limited to:

Keeping the device password-protected – strong passwords are at least 8 characters, with a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters (e.g. asterisk or currency symbol)
Using two factor authentication
Ensuring their hard drive is encrypted – this means if the device is lost or stolen, no one can access the files stored on the hard drive by attaching it to a new device
Making sure the device locks if left inactive for a period of time
Not sharing the device among family or friends
Installing/updating anti-virus and anti-spyware software
Keeping operating systems up to date by always installing the latest updates

Staff members must not use the device in any way that would violate the academy’s terms of acceptable use, as set out in appendix 2.

Work devices must be used solely for work activities.

If staff have any concerns over the security of their device, they must seek advice from their academy IT team or any central IT staff.

12. How the Academy will Respond to Issues of Misuse

Where a pupil misuses the academy’s ICT systems or internet, we will follow the procedures set out in our policies on behaviour and ICT and internet acceptable use policies. The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances, nature and seriousness of the specific incident, and will be proportionate.

Where a staff member misuses the academy’s ICT systems or the internet, or misuses a personal device where the action constitutes misconduct, the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the staff disciplinary procedures and staff code of conduct. The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances, nature and seriousness of the specific incident.

The academy will consider whether incidents that involve illegal activity or content, or otherwise serious incidents, should be reported to the police. This includes social media incidents.

13. Training

All new staff members will receive training, as part of their induction, on safe internet use and online safeguarding issues, including cyber-bullying and the risks of online radicalisation.

All staff members will receive refresher training at least once each academic year as part of safeguarding training, as well as relevant updates as required (for example through emails, e-bulletins and staff meetings).

By way of this training, all staff will be made aware that:

Technology is a significant component in many safeguarding and wellbeing issues, and that children are at risk of online abuse
Children can abuse their peers online through:

Abusive, threatening, harassing and misogynistic messages
Non-consensual sharing of indecent nude and semi-nude images and/or videos, especially around chat groups
Sharing of abusive images and pornography, to those who don’t want to receive such content

Physical abuse, sexual violence and initiation/hazing type violence can all contain an online element

Training will also help staff:

Develop better awareness to assist in spotting the signs and symptoms of online abuse
Develop the ability to ensure students can recognise dangers and risks in online activity and can weigh up the risks
Develop the ability to influence students to make the healthiest long-term choices and keep them safe from harm in the short term

The DSL and any deputies will undertake child protection and safeguarding training regularly. They will also update their knowledge and skills on the subject of online safety at regular intervals, and at least annually.

Governors will receive training on safe internet use and online safeguarding issues as part of their safeguarding training.

Volunteers will receive appropriate training and updates, if applicable.

More information about safeguarding training is set out in our child protection and safeguarding policy.

14. Monitoring and Filtering Arrangements

Keeping Children Safe in Education obliges schools to “ensure appropriate filters and appropriate monitoring systems are in place [and] not be able to access harmful or inappropriate material [but at the same time] be careful that “over blocking” does not lead to unreasonable restrictions as to what children can be taught with regards to online teaching and safeguarding.”

Our Trust is moving to a central broadband provider (LGfL). This means we have a dedicated and secure, schoolsafe connection that is protected with firewalls and multiple layers of security, including a web filtering system called WebScreen, which is made specifically to protect children in schools. This provision is reviewed at least annually.

There are three types of appropriate monitoring identified by the Safer Internet Centre. These are:

Physical monitoring (adult supervision in the classroom, at all times)
Internet and web access
Active/Pro-active technology monitoring services

Adult supervision is expected whenever students are using devices in an academy setting, and parents/carers are responsible for supervising their children when they are online at home. Pupil devices are monitored by OnGuard, which alerts the DSL of each school with any safeguarding concerns. Trust safeguarding leads and DSLs test the effectiveness of this system on a regular basis.

Appendix 1: KS3 and KS4 Acceptable Use Agreement (students and Parents/Carers)

ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE academy’S ICT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET: AGREEMENT FOR students AND PARENTS/CARERS
Name of pupil:
Students I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of the Academy I understand that if I fail to follow this Acceptable Use Agreement, I will be subject to disciplinary action. This may include my parents being contacted, detentions or isolations being issued, loss of access to the Academy network/internet, suspensions, referral to outside agencies and in the event of illegal activities the involvement of the police. I have read and understand the above and agree to follow these guidelines when: • I use the Academy ICT systems and equipment (both in and out of the Academy) • I use my own equipment within the Academy (when allowed) e.g. mobile phones, smart watches etc. outside of the normal academy day. • I use my own equipment out of the Academy in a way that is related to me being a member of this Academy e.g. communicating with other members of the Academy, accessing Academy email, accessing Google Classroom and Drive for remote learning / live lessons etc. • I am aware that there is real time monitoring for all usage associated with my student login both on and off the premises. I will: Follow the Academy Mobile Phone Policy at all times, keeping my phone away unless I have staff permission to use it for an educational purpose or with staff permission to make a call Treat my username and password like my toothbrush – I will not share it, or try to use any other person’s username and password Immediately report any unpleasant or inappropriate material or messages or anything that makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it online Respect others’ work and property and will not access, copy, remove or change anyone else’s files, without their knowledge and permission Be polite and responsible when I communicate with others, I will not use strong, aggressive, offensive or inappropriate language and I appreciate that others may have different opinion Not use a USB device in the Academy at any time Immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened Report any concerns about my online safety or that of my friends and peers to a member of staff immediately Will only use my mobile device to send texts and make calls, if my parents allow it, outside of the Academy day. I understand that other apps and activities are not for use within the Academy. Treat other people with respect at all times, on all platforms, including email, social media and digital communication such as text and WhatsApp. Ensure anything that I share with others is suitable and appropriate, I understand that what I share may be around forever once it is posted, even if I delete it. Use my Academy Gmail or Google Classroom account to contact staff for strictly academic questions only. I understand that staff have home lives as well so will ask these questions during the Academy day wherever possible. During online/ remote learning continue to act and communicate in a professional manner as if I was in school. I will: Behave as if I was in school and in the classroom Only use school email to communicate with teachers and fellow students Only access my school account and not personal accounts. Not share or access any inappropriate material. Ensure conversations using the chat function are appropriate and related to the lesson Ensure the microphone and camera are turned off during live lessons unless directed otherwise I will not: Use my phone or electronic device during the Academy day unless I have explicit permission from a member of staff. N.B. Mobile phones and electronic devices must always be handed in at the start of the school day. Try (unless I have permission) to make downloads or uploads from the Internet Take or share images (pictures and videos) of anyone within the Academy even with their permission at any times Use the Academy ICT systems for online gaming, online gambling, internet shopping, file sharing, or video broadcasting (eg YouTube) Try to upload, download or access any materials which are illegal or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to others Try to use any programmes or software that might allow me to bypass the filtering/security systems in place to prevent access to such materials Open any attachments to emails, unless I know and trust the person/organisation who sent the email, due to the risk of the attachment containing viruses or other harmful programmes Attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine or store programmes on a computer Try to alter computer settings such as screen set up Access any type of Social Media application or website within the Academy, at any time. Use any mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablet's, smartwatches etc. during an examination and understand I risk disqualification for using these devices. Attempt to use someone else’s mobile device, internet, apps or similar to access social media, the internet or to visit any prohibited sites and applications. Attempt to contact staff members via email or similar for non-academic reasons. Ask for staff members personal email address or attempt to contact members of staff via social media or any kind Not use tethering to another person’s phone or device to attempt to access the internet, apps, social media or similar
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 students using the academy’s ICT systems and internet, and for using personal electronic devices in academy, and will make sure my child understands these. I understand that the Academy also has the right to take action against me if I am involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when I am out of the Academy and where they involve my membership of the Academy community (examples would be cyber-bullying, use of images or personal information)
Signed (parent/carer):	Date:

Chromebook Loan Agreement

This agreement is intended to govern the use and care of the device assigned to you and sets out the terms and conditions for taking the ICT equipment home, the use, care and the loan of the device.

ICT equipment is loaned on a temporary basis for the sole, exclusive use of the student named on this form.

This is for the purpose of enabling the student to do work from home and extend their learning.

Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams remains the sole owner of this equipment and reserves the right to request the return of this equipment at any time.

The computer will be loaned to the named student for the duration of the period in which they are on roll at Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams. When the named student leaves the academy, the device must be returned to the academy. The Chromebook is issued with a charger and a carry case to protect it. All three items remain the property of the academy and students are expected to keep all three items safe and in good condition.

Acceptable Use of the Chromebook

The named student and parents/carers agree to the following:

1. To make best endeavours to keep the equipment in a good condition and safe condition

2. Activity on academy devices is subject to remote monitoring and reporting for safeguarding purposes

3. To take care when transporting the device and ensure that it is as secure as possible

4. To abide by the school’s policies concerning internet safety, internet use, social media and email.

5. Not to use the device to insult or upset other people or post inappropriate material online

6. That the device will not be used for any illegal and/or anti-social purpose

7. To ensure that, if I am aware of any damage to, or problems with the device, they are dealt with as soon as possible by informing the academy

8. That Anti-virus and monitoring software installed on the device must not be uninstalled or bypassed

9. Not to install any additional software without prior agreement of the academy

10. Not to open up the device or to make any modifications to the device (including cosmetically and to the hardware or components)

11. To ensure the student takes the following measures to protect the device:

- Keeps the device in a secure place when not in use.

- Does not leave the device in a car/vehicle.

- Does not eat or drink around the device.

- Does not lend the device to siblings or friends.

- Does not leave the device unsupervised in unsecured areas.

- To keep the device in good condition and to return it on demand from the academy in good condition.

12. That it is the responsibility of the student to save/back-up their work regularly and that the academy will not accept responsibility for the loss of work in the event of the device malfunctioning

13. To make sure that the device is charged so that it is ready for use each day

Damage or Loss

I agree to take full responsibility for the loan device issued and I have read or had this agreement read aloud and understand the conditions of the agreement.

I understand that I and the student are responsible for the device at all times whether on the academy’s property or not.

I will ensure that the equipment is kept in our possession / property at all times – and will NOT leave the equipment unattended.

If the device is damaged or lost I will immediately inform the academy and I acknowledge that I am responsible for the reasonable costs suggested by the academy to repair or replace the device.

If your device is stolen you must immediately report it to the police and get a crime reference number. Immediately report this to us; we will make every effort to replace the computer when we are able.

I understand that the device has software installed which allows for the tracking and remote wiping of the device, in order to render it useless to a third party should the device be lost or stolen or should possession otherwise transfer to a third party without the academy’s written consent.

I understand that I must report any problems with the equipment as soon as they arise & when returning it.

Unacceptable Use

1. I am aware that the academy will monitor the activity on this device.

2. I agree that the student will not carry out any activity that constitutes “unacceptable use”.

3. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

- Using ICT or the internet to bully or harass someone else, or to promote unlawful discrimination.

- Any illegal conduct, or statements which are deemed to be advocating illegal activity.

- Activity which defames or disparages the academy, or risks bringing the academy or Trust into disrepute.

- Causing intentional damage to ICT facilities or materials.

- Using inappropriate or offensive language.

- Breaking any of the rules set out in the academy’s policies on internet use, social media and email.

- I accept that the school will sanction the student, in line with its behaviour/discipline policy if the student engages in any of the above at any time. This includes the possible recovery of the device.

Personal Use

I agree that the student will only use this device for educational purposes and not for personal use and will not loan the device to any other person.

Data Protection

I agree to take the following measures to keep the data on the device protected:

1. Keep the device password-protected – in line with the academy’s password setting approach

2. Make sure the device is locked/logged off if it’s left unattended or inactive for a period of time.

3. Do not share the device among family or friends.

4. Update anti-virus and anti-spyware software as required/prompted.

5. Install the latest updates to operating systems, as prompted.

6. The Academy cannot be held responsible for damage to files or data loss incurred whilst using the equipment.

7. The Academy assumes no responsibility for files stored on the hard drive or for the recovery of files accidentally left on the hard drive after the equipment has been returned.

Return and Termination

I will return the device in its original condition to the academy when requested to do so.

The academy can ask for the equipment at any time, for example, to install software. During this process, technical members of staff may view data or programmes on the computer. You will be held responsible to the acceptable use policy at this point. You may want to remove personal data from the computer before its return.

Upon return, the equipment will be checked by staff for any loss or damage.

Where the student no longer attends the academy I will ensure the return of the device to the academy.

The misuse of the device will result in this agreement being terminated and permission to loan the device being withdrawn with immediate effect. I understand that I must return the device to the academy on demand by the academy should this happen.

Academy Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the academy will not be liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect or direct damages arising out of these terms or the use of the device, including without limitation any losses of or affecting your or the student’s personal property, software or data.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England.

Acceptance of Agreement

I confirm that I have read (or had explained) the terms and conditions set out in the agreement and my signature at the end of this agreement confirms that I (student and parent/carer) will adhere to the terms of loan.

I acknowledge that I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the loan of the equipment. I understand that it is my responsibility, as parent / carer of the named student, to ensure that they stay safe online.

Signed (pupil):	Date:
Signed (Parent/Carer):

Appendix 2: Acceptable Use Agreement (Staff, Governors, Volunteers and Visitors)

ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE academy’S ICT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET: AGREEMENT FOR STAFF, GOVERNORS, VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS
Name of staff member/governor/volunteer/visitor:
When using the academy’s 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 that could harm the academy’s 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 academy’s network Share my password with others or log in to the academy’s network using someone else’s details Take photographs of students without checking with teachers first Share confidential information about the academy, its students 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 academy’s 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 understand that the academy will monitor the websites I visit and my use of the academy’s 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 that 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 students in my care do so too.
Signed (staff member/governor/volunteer/visitor):	Date:

Appendix 3: 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?
Are you aware of the ways students can abuse their peers online?
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, governors and visitors?
Are you familiar with the academy’s acceptable use agreement for students and parents/carers?
Are you familiar with the filtering and monitoring systems on the academy’s devices and networks?
Do you understand your role and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring?
Do you regularly change your password for accessing the academy’s ICT systems?
Are you familiar with the academy’s approach to tackling cyber-bullying?
Are there any areas of online safety in which you would like training/further training?

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