St Peter’s High School Computer Usage Policy Agreement

(A separate policy deals with electronic communications within the school community)

St Peter’s High School provides computer systems for students, teaching staff, non-teaching staff and some visitors. All of these users are expected to adhere to the regulations for computer systems use as set forth in this document.

Access to computer systems is given to those who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner. Inappropriate use may result in a suspension or cancellation of some or all computing privileges, as well as other disciplinary or legal action.

St Peter’s High School reserves the right to monitor, under appropriate conditions, all data contained within the school’s computer systems to protect the integrity of the systems and to insure compliance with the policies, rules and regulations governing their use.

Definition of Users

There are a number of different types of computer user within St Peter’s High School. Different types of user may be granted different privileges and different levels of access to network resources. These users are:

·      Student Users

o      Regular students - all subjects

o      AS and A2 Computing students

·      Staff Users

o      Teaching Staff

§       ICT and Computing teachers

§       Other teachers

o      Non-teaching staff

§       IT Services staff

§       Other support staff

·      Visitors from outside the school

Generally, access to network resources is controlled by means of the user’s logon name and administrative grouping.

User Accounts

Each user must use their own logon account. You are responsible for safeguarding your logon account. You are expected to take all necessary precautions to protect access to your account by periodically changing your password and by not sharing it with others.

You should not attempt to use another user’s logon account or attempt to discover another user’s password.

 

Ownership and Privacy

A user’s data should be treated as their private property.  You should not attempt to access or make use of any other user’s data without the appropriate authorization.  Any attempt to copy, rename, modify or view another person’s work without the appropriate authorization is strictly forbidden.

You may not engage in abusive or improper use of any elevated privileges. These include, but are not limited to, misuse of system administrator and system operator privileges.

You must respect all copyright laws that protect software owners, artists and writers.

You must be aware of and abide by the Data Protection Act.

System Security

You must not intentionally circumvent system protection facilities such as virus checking software, anti-spy ware or firewalls.

You must not attempt to compromise network security in any manner.  

You must not knowingly use any means to produce system failure, degrade performance, or proliferate computer viruses.

Unless you are specifically authorized to do so, you must not knowingly attempt to introduce executable files onto the school network via removable storage media such as floppy discs, optical discs or USB devices such as memory sticks.

Hardware

Computer equipment should be treated with respect. You must report any abuse of equipment immediately.

Faulty equipment should be reported immediately to a member of IT Services.

Food and drinks should be kept well away from workstations and other electrical equipment.

Take care when shutting down and closing the lid of your laptop to ensure that nothing is left lying on top of the laptop surface. This may result in damage not covered by warranties.

You must not attempt unauthorized disassembly, modification, or repair of any equipment belonging to, or under the control of St Peter’s High School.

If a desktop workstation needs to be relocated, you should consult a member of IT Services.

Updates

Updates to your laptop’s operating system and installed software (including antivirus software) will be made automatically and therefore, whenever possible, it is important to connect to the network before start up. Users will be notified that there are updates to install at shutdown and should follow the instructions at that point.

 

Software installation

 

Most teaching staff are not authorised to install software applications on laptops. If you require new, special or non-standard software to be installed on a laptop for school use, you should contact the Network Manager before purchase. A member of the IT Services will then perform the software installation for you. The ICT Development group (chaired by the Head of ICT) will attempt to resolve any issues that arise.

 

Certain teachers (for example teachers of AS and A2 ICT and Computing) are authorised to install software on their school laptops as well as view and change configuration settings. For this they will require local administrator access and are required to be particularly vigilant when installing software. Installation of software should only be attempted if it is from a reputable source, has been recommended or is digitally signed. Virus scanning should be enabled at all times. Staff with this authorization are responsible for providing IT Services with licenses, media, and any relevant documentation relating to installed software. Licence information is a legal requirement. This facility is required in order that they can deliver their specific subject areas.

 

Software not installed by a member of IT Services cannot be supported.

 

Internal auditing

 

Your laptop will be subject to auditing from time to time to ensure that its use conforms to the acceptable use policy agreements in force at St Peter’s High School.

 

December 2006