Parent Code

Principles

Chromebooks are supplied by The Hollyfield School, however, they are paid for and the property of the parents. While students are on roll, the school manages the devices. This is essential to ensure students are safe while they are using them. The school makes clear that the students are the primary carers for their device. They should be treated well, as they would their own or family owned high value computing device. Parents must support their children in caring for the Chromebook.

The purpose of the Chromebooks is to enhance learning. As much as possible, non-school use at home should be on other devices. All access to any content is entirely online. The Chromebooks will not operate offline (unless offline mode is activated, and even then, offline use is only ever temporary until a connection to the Internet is re-established. Every interaction is recorded by sophisticated monitoring and filtering software that has been pre installed to the devices.

The DSL team at the school receives alerts when inappropriate content is accessed on any device managed by the school.

Looking after a Chromebook

At home, when the Chromebook is not in use or charging, it should be kept in its protective hard case. Support your child in ensuring that it is kept away from hazards, not left on the floor, not on furniture at home or left outside. Students are expected to not eat or drink while using the device. When students use their Chromebook, they must be sitting down. Whilst students are at school, Chromebooks should not be used before or after registration or at break and lunchtime without permission.  Ensure your child has noted down their Chromebook’s serial number in a Google Doc and in their planner.

Classroom Etiquette

Remind your child that their Chromebook must be fully charged, ready for the start of each school day. If they tell you it’s charging, please double check that it is in fact charging and not just plugged into an electrical socket. Ensure that your child always puts their Chromebook in the protective hard case it comes with and in their school bag before they leave for school each morning. Remind them that the device should be kept in their school bag until their teacher gives permission for them to be taken out and used. Students are expected to put and keep their Chromebook’s lid down, when out of their bag but not in use (for example, when listening to a teacher’s instructions).

The Chromebooks come with monitoring and filtering software, this helps keep students safe when they are using the device and therefore online. Please make sure you discuss appropriate use of online content with your child on a regular basis. In the classroom, when the teacher asks for students’ attention, as well as being silent, Chromebook lids should be down. Students are advised not to take photos or videos with their Chromebooks unless they have permission from the people being recorded. Photo or video content must not be uploaded to non school or education websites and not without permission.

Software use

At school, students must not access content on YouTube before or after registration or at break and lunchtime; only in lessons, as directed by a teacher. Students must not use instant messaging and chat without permission from a teacher. It is the expectation that games should not be played whilst at school. Educational games will need permission from the teacher. All communication should be polite, sensible and responsible. Discuss with your child appropriate language. We ask students that if they encounter another student accessing content that is upsetting, offensive or inappropriate, they should report it as soon as possible.