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The KLB school curriculum network is available to all pupils and staff. The number of users (close to 1500) means that certain precautions have to be taken to protect such a valuable resource and keep it running reliably. Pupils and parents are required to sign an 'acceptable use agreement' prior to any pupils using the Network. This agreement is based on the KLB School acceptable use policy.
Staff responsibilities:
- Staff allowing pupils to use ICT facilities are responsible for supervising those pupils as closely as possible. KS3 and KS4 pupils are not permitted unsupervised Internet access.
- The normal classroom rules apply, with particular emphasis on not eating and drinking due to the obvious risks of damage to equipment.
- Staff are responsible for leaving ICT equipment in a useable state or reporting any faults found. Headphones should be hung up and a quick check made to ensure monitors, keyboards etc. have not been tampered with.
- ICT rooms should always be locked when not in use.
User Access:
- All network users have to log on with a username, this will be unique to them and will remain the same throughout their time at the school.
- All network users have a password to allow them to log on, this password must be kept private and changed if anyone else becomes aware of it.
- Passwords are given out at the beginning of Y7 and are a combination of random letters and numbers.
- Users must log off from the network if they leave their computer unattended.
- The time users spent on the network, the computers used and the printing carried out are all continually audited throughout the year..
User Storage and Security:
- Users can access their work from any computer on the network. Their 'user area' is accessed via their 'My Documents' shortcut on the desktop screen.
- KS3 pupils typically have 40MB of storage space on the school servers. Pupils at KS4 and above may have more to allow for coursework etc. If users exceed their storage space allocation then they will be unable to save further work until sufficient files have been deleted.
- Anti-virus software is installed on the network and is updated regularly. To further reduce the risk of viruses, users should avoid using floppy disks and USB flash/pen drives that have not come from virus-free source. If a virus is detected by the anti-virus software then the user's network access is suspended.
- Direct downloads of executable programs, MP3 files and zip files from websites are blocked. User areas are routinely checked for such files and if any are found then the users network access is suspended.
- The server hard disks are automatically backed-up every night and extra backup tapes are made at the end of each term. This means that users work that has been accidentally deleted can often be recovered.
- User are advised to make their own backups, either onto floppy disk, or to their online file storage area.
Software Access
- The large amount of software available to pupils can be confusing so subject-specific shortcuts are sorted into folders, accessed through the Start Menu.
- Pupils have 'read-only' access to files placed by staff in designated shared areas. Pupils can copy files to and from an 'all-users' shared area but are responsible for removing such files at the end of the day. If files are not removed or inappropriate files left than access to the all-users area will be suspended.
- Users do not have access to computer and network drives other than their 'My Documents' area on the server, shared work areas, the floppy disk drive and USB flash/pen drives. Any attempt to access other drives will be viewed as a breach of security and will be dealt with accordingly.
- Internet access will be suspended or permanently removed in cases where the acceptable use agreement has been breached.
- Pupils should not bring music files such as MP3 files into school or play them on school computers without permission.
Printing
- The number of users in the school means that printing is expensive. To control wastage all printing is audited.
- Pupils are allocated a set number of 'printer credits'. Further credits are then added as required, the amount depending on typical usage for that year group.
- Mono-colour laser printers are set to use 1 printer credit per page while colour printers are typically set to use 50 printer credits. Pupils can purchase additional printer credits from Mrs Edwards (currently £1 for 100 credits) and should not attend an ICT lesson without any credits left.
The Internet
- The school has made a significant annual investment in Broadband Internet access. The unregulated nature of the Internet means that a number of extra precautions have had to be made for its use.
- These are detailed in the KLB School
acceptable
use policy but briefly they are as follows:
- Internet access is not permitted for pupils who have not signed the acceptable use agreement form and had it counter-signed by their parents.
- Internet access at Key Stages 3 and 4 must be supervised by a member of staff in the room who is aware that the pupil is using the Internet.
- Pupils using the Internet can have their screens routinely viewed remotely by ICT staff.
- Internet access is via a filtered ISP (Internet Service Provider). Additionally, the school can filter other websites it sees as unsuitable.
- Pupils are directed towards search engines such as Google which make an attempt to filter the results of searches to remove unsuitable 'summaries' in the search results.
- Access is either blocked or monitored to web-based email sites to stop anonymous email originating from the school.
- Access to chat-room sites and Mobile Phone text (SMS) sites are not permitted and are largely blocked.
- Email is not to be used in lessons unless permission is given by the teacher, this particularly covers the use of email by pupils to 'chat' to each other.
- Access to sites such as pupil's own web pages (unless approved), blog sites, online guestbooks, forum sites and online community sites are not allowed due to the unregulated content.
- Email attachments are limited to a reasonable size. Pupils are responsible for deleting emails sent and received using the web-based school email service.
- There are strict rules governing acceptable use of email.
- To reduce wasted time searching the Internet for resources, a number of departments have produced indexes of useful sites on the school Intranet with direct links to Internet sites.