Carrickfergus Grammar School Internet Usage Agreement

Click here to Download the Agreement in Word Format (Right Click + Save As)

We are very pleased to bring this access to Carrickfergus Grammar School, and believe the Internet offers vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers. Our goal in providing this service to teachers and students is to promote educational excellence in school by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.  If you have any questions regarding this document, or any school internet activities, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

This Agreement

  By reading and signing this agreement students, teachers and parents are acknowledging that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities as users of the Internet in the school. In general, this agreement requires efficient, ethical and legal utilisation of the network‘s resources.

  The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. Through this medium students and teachers have access to a wide variety of resources including: access to many university and government libraries and library catalogues; electronic mail; information and news from countless agencies and governments; public domain software and shareware of all types.

  With the Internet providing access to computers and people all over the world, students could also gain access to material that would not be considered to be appropriate in the context of a school setting. Carrickfergus Grammar School has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control access to all materials. An industrious user could access controversial information, if he or she was determined to do so. We firmly believe that the benefits of the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school.

  Access to the Internet is complex and relies upon the proper conduct of the students and staff who must adhere to certain Internet protocols and guidelines. In addition, Carrickfergus Grammar School has defined local guidelines addressing both the rights and responsibilities of students and staff who access the Internet through school computers. 

The cut-off section at the end may be detached so that you can file this document away for future reference.  It is very important that this is returned to school promptly so that we have an agreement on file relating to the acceptable use of school computers.

Anthony Ross

Teacher In Charge - Internet Access

  Acceptable Use - The use of the Internet, through school computers, must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of Carrickfergus Grammar School.

  School computers are strictly for school based activities.  Use of other organisations network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network/service. Transmission of any material in violation of any UK laws is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene materials, as determined by the Headmaster, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities is generally not acceptable. Use for advertising of any kind or nature or political lobbying is strictly prohibited.

  If an Internet resource could be construed to be of a questionable nature, the burden of responsibility lies with the student to check with the IT department to determine if the student should or should not access that resource and the IT department staff members decision shall be final.

  Privileges - The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use as solely determined by the Headmaster will result in revocation of those privileges. The Headmaster will deem what is inappropriate use, and his decision is final. Also, the IT department staff may deny access to a student if he or she is found to be abusing the privilege of using the Internet and World Wide Web. A log of all Internet access and activity may be monitored throughout the.

  Security - Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. Students may not use another individual‘s account on the school network or any external service (passwords must be kept secret to prevent this from happening).  Students may not access resources for which they do not have expressed permission. If you feel you can identify an access security problem on the Internet or school network, you must notify a member of the IT department. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users.  Any user identified as a security risk may be denied access to all school computers on the network.

  Vandalism - Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and the appropriate school sanction.  Vandalism, in this context, is defined as any preventable action which causes inconvenience or distress to any other internet or computer user. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of malicious material, attempts to disguise your internet location/identity, unauthorised changes to local system settings on a computer and many of the activities listed in the other sections above. 

  Sanctions – Sanctions for misuse vary from case to case but they come into two main categories.

Computer access sanctions:- The I.C.T. department and teacher in charge of internet access will invariably deny access to any student who has been misusing the network in any way.  Access is denied for a set period of 2 weeks but longer bans may be appropriate if a serious incident has occurred.

School  sanctions:- If a student has broken a school rule, or behaved in a way which is deemed inappropriate by the Headmaster, then a formal school sanction may be appropriate.  This may involve a parental interview, in extreme cases, to discuss the situation.

  Carrickfergus Grammar School specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its internet access services.

Administration Fees

School staff are employed to teach their respective subjects and not spend large amounts of their time adjusting individual network access details and investigating cases of possible misuse.  It has become necessary to introduce administration charges for students whose actions (or inaction) cause extra inconvenience to the network administrators.  Detailed computer records of bans and sanctions also have to be maintained and updated.  The charges for various services are detailed below.  

Network Rules - You are expected to abide by the following rules:  

• Never access the school network using another pupil’s password and never reveal your password to another pupil.

• Never install software on the network (ask the administrator if he could install software).

• Do not use school computers, or any remote computers, in such a way that you would disrupt their use by others.

• All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be the private property of some third party.

• Be polite. Do not get abusive in your messages to others. Use appropriate language.

• Do not access inappropriate material  (any material that you would not access if the Headmaster was sitting next to you).

• Do not send inappropriate material.  (any material that you would not send if the Headmaster was sitting next to you or any inaccurate information).

• Note that electronic mail (e-mail) is not private. System operators should have access to all mail.

• Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the authorities.

• It will be the responsibility of the student to ensure that their actions, when using any school computers, are appropriate and legal.

• Personal Internet use is restricted to one student at a computer.  No 'surfing with a friend' please!

• Check the school intranet and desktop message for new rules.