Highland Council Guidance on the Use of Pupil Images on School Websites

There are some basic rules which all schools must follow:

• parental consent must be secured in writing before publishing any pupil’s photograph on a web page
• do not publish a pupil’s full name along with their photograph on a web page.
• If a photograph is used, either avoid naming the pupil or only use their forename; if the pupil is named in full, avoid using a photograph (DfES guidance)
• do not publish any home information or individual email identities

More generally:

• where possible, avoid close-up pictures of individual pupils; use classroom or group activities instead
• instead of pupil photographs, the use of drawings of pupils, or items made by pupils, as a means of exemplifying good work or publicising the school
• if photographs are used, always ensure that children are dressed appropriately
• it is not usually appropriate to edit/amend images, although there may be exceptions, for example, removing or airbrushing a badge to protect identity

Permission for the Use of computers and Electronic Mail
Teanassie Primary School offers pupils and staff access to a computer network for electronic mail and the Internet. To gain access to e-mail and the Internet, all pupils must obtain parental permission as verified by the signatures on the form below. Should a parent prefer that a pupil not have e-mail and Internet access, use of the computers is still possible for more traditional purposes such as word processing.

What is possible?

Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable pupils to explore thousands of libraries, databases, museums, and other repositories of information and to exchange personal communication with other Internet users around the world. Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive. While the purposes of the school are to use Internet resources for constructive educational goals, pupils may find ways to access other materials. We believe that the benefits to pupils from access to the Internet in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration exceed the disadvantages. But ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. Therefore, we support and respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

What is expected?

Pupils are responsible for appropriate behaviour on the school’s computer network just as they are in a classroom or on a school playground. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behaviour and communications apply. The use of the network is a privilege not a right, and may be revoked if abused. The user is personally responsible for his/her actions in accessing and utilising the school’s computer resources. The pupils are advised never to access, keep, or send anything that they would not want their parents or teachers to see.

What are the rules?

Privacy – Network storage areas may be treated like school lockers. Network administrators may review communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that pupils are using the system responsibly.

Storage capacity – Users are expected to remain within allocated disk space and delete e-mail or other material, which take up excessive storage space.

Illegal copying – pupils should never download or install any commercial software, shareware, or freeware onto network drives or disks, unless they have written permission from the Network Administrator. Nor should pupils copy other people’s work or intrude into other people’s files.

Inappropriate materials or language – No profane, abusive or impolite language should be used to communicate nor should materials be accessed which are not in line with the rules of school behaviour. A good rule to follow is never view, send, or access materials, which you would not want your teachers or parents to see. Should pupils encounter such materials by accident, they should report it to their teacher immediately.

Abuse of Password - Users should not allow other users access to their mailbox by disclosing passwords. Passwords should be changed regularly and held as private information.

Essential Rules

• Do not use a computer to harm other people at their work.
• Do not damage the computer or the network in any way.
• Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing illegal software, shareware or freeware.
• Do not violate copyright laws.
• Do not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures.
• Do not share your password with another person.
• Do not waste limited resources such as disk space or printing capacity.
• Do not trespass in another’s folders, work, or files.
• Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter materials that violate the rules of appropriate use.
• BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for the loss of privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.