ICLT INFORMATION AND INTERNET SAFETY

The school believes that integration of ICLT into subject areas rather than being taught as a discrete subject is the most efficient way for pupils to use the technological tools available to them for effective learning and to promote cross-curricular links. To this end, pupils from Year 4 to Year 11 are equipped with a laptop computer as part of their school equipment. The laptop is personally owned by the parents and is purchased from our laptop partners.

Like all technology, laptops need to undergo a periodic refresh due to limitations of warranty, accidental damage cover and general wear and tear. Our experience of running the scheme for over ten years, combined with research from the Sony Company in schools, suggests that the lifetime of a laptop in a school is three years. Our main refresh years are therefore Year 4, Year 7 and Year 10.

A parent with a pupil entering between Years 4 and 10 is obliged to purchase a new laptop. The laptop will be refreshed every three years after the initial purchase.

Sixth form students are also expected to use a laptop for their learning but are given the freedom to bring any suitable laptop which best meets their educational requirements. The only requirement is that they have up-to-date anti virus software and an office editing suite such as Microsoft Office, Open Office or Apple's Pages, Numbers and Keynote apps.

For all pupils and their parents with school scheme laptops please take note of the following information below.

Internet filtration and anti-virus

When the laptop is in school there are systems in place to filter any inappropriate websites. Safeguarding software is also installed on the laptop.  This software runs in the background to monitor, log and report inappropriate activity on the laptop both at school and at home.  We strongly recommend arranging internet filtration via your home internet provider to manage what your child can view on the internet when at home.

Use your protective case at all times

The laptop must be carried and stored in a protective case at all times. This is a school rule and helps keep the laptop in good condition and protects it from drops.

Do not store paper in the protective case or underneath laptop

Storing paper in the protective case especially under the laptop reduces the air flow and risks the laptop overheating and failing.

Decorating and naming your protective case

Please decorate and name your protective case. Stickers and decoration prevent other pupils from accidentally picking up and taking the wrong laptop away.

Please charge your laptop at home

It is important to charge your laptop in the evenings before your next school day. Allowing your laptop to run out of battery during the school day can be very disruptive to the class.

Only use an official charger supplied by the school’s ICLT dept

Using non-manufacturer and non-UK laptop chargers can be the source of significant damage to the laptop and battery and in worst case can be potentially hazardous.

Please note there are chargers available on both amazon and eBay that claim to be genuine manufacturer but are not.

Damage to your laptop charger

If you have damage to your laptop charger please stop using it immediately and visit the school’s ICLT department with the faulty charger to obtain a replacement.

Battery care

When storing the laptop for longer periods of time without use please charge the battery to around 50% before storing. Please do not store it for long periods of time at very low charge.

Please ensure you do not leave or store your laptop in areas where it will get hot such as in direct sunlight.

Computers should be used in a central place

Encourage the use of technology in a central family area. This will make it easier to keep an eye on your child’s activities. The best protection still remains that of adult supervision.

Speak with your child about where they go online

Ask your child about what kinds of sites online and what mobile apps they like to use and why. Revisit the conversation from time to time. You could discuss:

• Their favourite online sites

• What they enjoy most?

• What are the fun aspects of being online?

• What do they think could go wrong?

• How would they react if things got out of control?

Be cautious of online strangers

Speak with your child about never arranging to actually meet a person they met online. Never share personal information with anyone online because they may not be whom they claim to be.

Be respectful

If you wouldn’t be prepared to say it to someone in person don’t text it, instant message it, or post it as a comment online.

Remind your child that what goes online, can stay online

Referred to as your digital footprint or alternatively as ‘digital dirt’, explain that a silly or offensive picture or post put online today could stay online forever. It could prove embarrassing and detrimental when they are older. Many employers and universities now check a person’s online presence as part of an application process.

Explain that pictures taken and then placed online or sent via instant messaging can very quickly become out of their control and be passed on from person to person, with no way of deleting or asking for the picture back.

Consequences

Encourage your child to consider the possible consequences of their online actions. Suggest they stop for a moment to consider the possible consequences of their text or online post before they proceed. If the consequences of their online actions impact on school, the discipline code will be enforced.

Use privacy settings and sharing controls

Social networking sites such as instagram, twitter and facebook have sharing and privacy controls to manage who sees their personal posts, photos, videos, etc. Using sharing and privacy settings correctly is very important.

Choose a sensible password

Remind your child never to give out their passwords. Instruct your child to create a memorable password preferably containing capital letters and numbers. It is also advisable to change this password occasionally and not to use the same password for all websites.

View online content critically

Just because you see something online, it is not a guarantee that it is true. Encourage your child to be critical as not everything is what it appears to be. It is also important to discuss the dangers of comparing themselves to their online friends, peers and celebrities as this is now considered to be a considerable factor contributing to mental health issues amongst young people today and affecting their self-esteem.

www.parentzone.org.uk - parent zone is devoted to providing expert information to families and schools.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk - Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre’s website houses a range of information on how to stay safe online. It includes a unique facility that enables parents and young people to make reports of actual or attempted abuse online.

www.childnet-int.org - the childnet international website gives internet safety advice and links for young people, parents, teachers and other organisations.

www.saferinternet.org.uk - On the UK safer internet centre website, you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.

www.kidsmart.org.uk - kidsmart is an award winning internet safety website for parents and those working with children. It has been developed by the children's Internet charity, Childnet International, and has excellent information on many of the technologies used by children with guidance on how to stay safe online.

parents.vodafone.com - vodafone have developed this website in conjunction with mumsnet. It provides information and guidance for parents to understanding their child’s digital world.

www.connectsafely.org - this site is built by parents for parents. It offers clearly written guidebooks explaining apps, services and platforms popular with kids and teens.

www.facebook.com - facebook has advice and guidance for setting up your profile and privacy settings in facebook.

www.betterinternetforkids.eu - A site promoting safe digital habits for children throughout Europe. Has blog posts for trending internet topics and even has a hotline where families can receive support and report anything suspicious online.

The school has a number of official social media accounts that are used to provide information about the school. They are as follows:

Twitter

@CFCSchool, @CFCHeadmaster (William Brierly), @CFCPrep, @CFCPrepTrips and @CFCMediaStudies

Instagram

@claremontfancourt

Facebook

Claremont Fan Court School and Claremont Fan Court Alumni 

Please be wary of any other account on any social media site that uses the school crest, name or images as it does not represent the views of the School, nor is it maintained by the school.