Students are encouraged to use both the libraries and information technology in their work. We ask parents to encourage their children to read: literacy is a key element in successful learning. The College has Specialist Status in ICT. We have an extensive network of curriculum computers (ICT)to which every student has access via a user name and password. Every student has a unique area on the network. Intranet and Internet access is available to all students. The College has developed a learning platform (on website) to support students, parents and teachers.

College ICT Use Policy: PARENTS & STUDENTS MUST sign the permission forms in the Contact Books by Friday 18th September 2009.
Access to the school ICT network will be withdrawn if the agreement is not signed by that date.

Students’ use of the Internet (see ICT Use Policy)

Students’ use of the Internet can leave them vulnerable to a variety of risks from other users. The Principal is responsible for the safety and welfare of all students during the school day and will ensure, to the best of his ability, that they are protected and safe whilst in College. Students who try to by-pass the filter and monitoring systems will be punished.

We cannot filter and monitor home internet connections and what your child is doing on the net at home: this is your responsibility. We must emphasise how important it is that as parents/carers you monitor and check your child’s use of the internet at home.

The computer system is owned by the College and is made available to students to further their education and to staff to enhance their professional activities including teaching, research, administration and management. The College's ICT use policy has been drawn up to protect all parties - the students, the staff and the College.

The College reserves the right to examine or delete any files that may be held on its computer system and to monitor email and any Internet sites visited by users.

Students and their parents must sign the page provided in the student’s Homework Diary to demonstrate their acceptance of this policy.

Read the policy below. Parents/Carers should retain this copy at home. Students’ Homework Diaries will be checked for the required signatures and if they are not in the Homework Diary a student may not be allowed to use our ICT network until they are signed.

• All Internet activity should be appropriate to staff professional activity or the student's education
• Access should only be made via the authorised account and password, which should not be made available to any other person
• Activity that threatens the integrity of the school ICT systems, or activity that attacks or corrupts other systems, is forbidden
• Users are responsible for all e-mail sent/received and retained, and for contacts made that may result in e-mail being received
• Use for personal financial gain, gambling, political purposes or advertising is forbidden
• Copyright must be respected at all times
• Posting anonymous messages and forwarding chain letters, using open access sites, posting material about staff/students on the net is strictly forbidden and could lead to exclusion
• As e-mail can be forwarded or inadvertently sent to the wrong person, the same professional levels of language and content should be applied as for letters or other media
• Use of the network to access inappropriate materials such as pornographic, racist or offensive material is forbidden. Having material of a pornographic (sexual or violent), racist or which is seen as offensive by the College, in a College email folder or sending or receiving such material may lead to temporary or permanent exclusion (student) / severe disciplinary action (staff)
• Parents and Carers will ensure they have explained this statement to their children and will make every effort to ensure students send no offensive material to College via email
• All users will at all times respect the privacy of other users work/account areas
• The College will ensure that all possible steps are taken to protect users from accessing offensive sites
• The College will ensure that the security of users’ personal data, where held, will be secure and the College will operate within the Data Protection Act

Abuse of this policy may lead to suspension and will result

in the permanent withdrawal of the facilities