 |
Updated guidance on the safe use of the Internet in schools |
| The DfES have issued new guidance for schools on
appropriate use of the Internet in schools. This covers issues such as filtering of web pages, codes of conduct for Internet use, monitoring the use of the Internet and Email, use of email systems and using pupils' images on web sites. The full information is available at:-http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools The situation within Bedfordshire:- Mail Systems If your school is using the Bedfordshire Schools' mail system, this is a monitored and filtered service that exceeds the recommendations offered by the DfES as all mail is also virus checked and filtered for spam (junk) email. If additional safeguards are required, class addresses may be used instead of individual addresses – simply assign on of the existing id's to a class that the teacher will access as required. Use of Hotmail, Yahoo or other systems falls outside of the guidelines, and use of these systems is discussed at the safety site. If your school manages its own Internet mail system, you should ensure that it is monitored, regularly checked for abuse and also all mail is virus checked. Web access All web access by students should be through a filtered service. Schools systems configured by the ICT team will be directed through the BECTA accredited broadband filters, or Redstone (Dialnet) filtered service for those few schools still to be connected to broadband. NB: No automatic filtering service, for Email or Web access, will be 100% efficient, therefore use of these services should be also monitored in the school, where possible. In addition, students should sign an Internet code of conduct such as that recommended by the DfES or available on the Bedfordshire Schools' Website. |