Acceptable Use
Policy

Version |  September 2025

Introduction

1. Introduction

This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) outlines the expectations for the responsible and ethical use of all technology resources provided by Coop Academy Swinton. These resources include, but are not limited to, computers, laptops, tablets, Chromebooks, network access (wired and wireless), internet access, software, email, online learning platforms, digital storage, and any other electronic device or system owned or managed by the academy.

This AUP applies to all students, staff, volunteers, and any other individuals who access or use Coop Academy Swinton's technology resources, both on and off academy premises. By accessing or using these resources, you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of this policy.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this AUP is to:

• Promote a safe, secure, and productive learning environment.
• Ensure the responsible and ethical use of technology.
• Protect the academy’s technology infrastructure and data.
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Educate users on appropriate digital citizenship.

3. General Principles of Acceptable Use

All users are expected to:

• Respect others: Use technology in a manner that is respectful, courteous, and does not harass, bully, or discriminate against others.
• Respect property: Treat all academy technology resources with care and avoid any actions that could damage, disable, or impair their functionality.
• Respect intellectual property: Adhere to copyright laws and intellectual property rights. Do not plagiarize, illegally download, or distribute copyrighted materials.
• Respect privacy: Do not attempt to access, share, or disclose personal information of others without explicit permission.
• Be a responsible digital citizen: Think critically about information found online, be aware of online safety, and report any suspicious or inappropriate activity.
• Prioritize educational use: Academy technology resources are primarily for educational purposes. Non-educational use should be minimal and not interfere with learning or academy operations.

4. Prohibited Uses

The following uses of Academy technology resources are strictly prohibited:

• Illegal Activities: Using academy technology for any activity that violates local, national, or international laws. This includes, but is limited to, accessing, distributing, or transmitting illegal content, engaging in cybercrime, or making threats.
• Harmful Content: Accessing, creating, distributing, or displaying content that is obscene, pornographic, violent, hateful, discriminatory, or promotes illegal acts.
• Cyberbullying and Harassment: Engaging in any form of cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, or derogatory communication towards others.
• Unauthorized Access/Hacking: Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any system, network, account, or data, or circumventing security measures. This includes "hacking," "phishing," or any other malicious activity.
• Malware/Viruses: Introducing, creating, or spreading computer viruses, malware, ransomware, or any other harmful code.
• Network Interference: Disrupting or interfering with network services, equipment, or other users' ability to access resources. This includes unauthorized use of bandwidth or denial-of-service attacks.
• Impersonation: Impersonating another person or misrepresenting your identity online.
• Commercial Use/Gambling: Using academy resources for personal commercial ventures, advertising, or online gambling.
• Violation of Academy Policies: Any use that violates other academy policies, rules, or regulations.
• Sharing Passwords/Accounts: Sharing your personal login credentials (passwords, usernames) with others or using another person's credentials.
• Bypassing Filters/Security: Attempting to bypass, disable, or circumvent security filters, firewalls, or other technological safeguards implemented by the academy.
• Large Downloads/Streaming (Non-Educational): Excessive downloading or streaming of non-educational content that consumes significant bandwidth and impacts network performance.
• Anonymous Proxies/VPNs (Unauthorized): Using unapproved anonymous proxies, VPNs, or other methods to hide your online activity or bypass academy filtering.
• Unauthorized Software: Installing or running unauthorized software, applications, or games on academy devices.

5. Privacy and Monitoring

Users should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of academy technology resources. The academy reserves the right to monitor, inspect, and disclose the contents of any user's online activity, files, and communications on academy systems, without prior notice, when there is a reasonable suspicion of a violation of this AUP, other academy policies, or applicable law. This includes, but is not limited to, email, Browse history, and files stored on academy servers.

6. Personal Devices (BYOD - Bring Your Own Device)

If the academy permits the use of personal devices on academy premises (BYOD), the following applies:

• Personal devices must adhere to all aspects of this AUP when connected to the academy’s network or used for academy-related activities.
• The academy is not responsible for the security, repair, or loss of personal devices.
• Users are responsible for ensuring their personal devices are free of malware and are updated with appropriate security software.
• The academy reserves the right to deny network access to any personal device that poses a security risk or disrupts the learning environment.
• The academy’s monitoring capabilities extend to personal devices when connected to the academy network.

7. Consequences of Violation

Violations of this AUP may result in one or more of the following disciplinary actions, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation:

• Verbal warning.
• Temporary or permanent loss of technology privileges.
• Parent/guardian notification and meeting.
• Correction or exclusion from the  academy.
• Referral to law enforcement authorities (for illegal activities).
• Financial restitution for damages to academy property.

8. Reporting Concerns

Users are encouraged and expected to report any suspected violations of this AUP or any concerning online activity to a teacher, administrator, or the IT department immediately.

9. Staff Declaration

What am I agreeing to?

1. I have read and understood our Trust’s full Online Safety policy and agree to uphold the spirit and letter of the approaches outlined there, both for my behaviour as an adult and enforcing the rules for pupils/students. If I have any concerns regarding the conduct of other adults or children in relation to the Online Safety Policy or Acceptable Use Policies, I will raise these to my Headteacher / Principal without delay.

2. I understand it is my duty to support a whole-academy safeguarding approach and will report any behaviour which I believe may be inappropriate or concerning in any way to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (if by a child) or

Headteacher/Principal (if by an adult).

3. During remote learning:

o I will not behave any differently towards students compared to when I am in academy. I will never attempt to arrange any meeting, including tutoring session, without the full prior knowledge and approval of the academy, and will never do so directly with a pupil. The same applies to any private/direct communication with a pupil.

o I will not attempt to use a personal system or personal login for remote teaching or set up any system on behalf of the academy without SLT approval.

o I will not take secret recordings or screenshots of myself or pupils during live lessons.

o I will conduct any video lessons in a professional environment as if I am in academy. This means I will be correctly dressed and will choose a neutral background, or use the Google Meet function to blur or change my background. The camera view will not include any personal information or inappropriate objects and where possible to blur or change the background, I will do so.

o I will complete the issue log for live lessons if anything inappropriate happens or anything which could be construed in this way. This is for my protection as well as that of students

4. I understand that in past and potential future remote learning and lockdowns, there is a greater risk for grooming and exploitation as children spend more time at home and on devices; I must play a role in supporting educational and safeguarding messages to help with this.

5. I understand the responsibilities listed for my role in our Trust’s Online Safety Policy. This includes promoting online safety as part of a whole academy approach in line with the Relationship, Sex & Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, as well as safeguarding considerations when supporting pupils remotely.

6. I understand that academy systems and users are protected by security, monitoring and filtering services, and that my use of academy devices, systems and logins on my own devices and at home (regardless of time, location or connection), including encrypted content, can be monitored/captured/viewed by the relevant authorised staff members.

7. I understand that I am a role model and will promote positive online safety and model safe, responsible and positive behaviours in my own use of technology, including social media, e.g. by:

● not sharing other’s images or details without permission

● refraining from posting abusive, threatening or violent comments about others, regardless of whether they are members of the academy community or not.

8. I will not contact or attempt to contact any pupil or to access their contact details (including their usernames/handles on different platforms) in any way other than academy-approved and academy-monitored ways, which are detailed in our Trust’s Online Safety Policy. I will report any breach of this by others or attempts by pupils to do the same to the headteacher. Note: it is acknowledged that colleagues may have genuine friendships and social contact with parents/carers of pupils, independent of the professional relationship (see para 12.9 of the Code of Conduct)

9. Details on social media behaviour, the general capture of digital images/video and on my use of personal devices is stated in the Online Safety Policy and Social Media Policy. If I am not sure if I am allowed to do something in or related to the academy, I will not do it and seek guidance from the DSL.

10.I understand the importance of upholding my online reputation, my professional reputation and that of the academy / Trust, and I will do nothing to impair either. More guidance on this point can be found in our Trust’s Social Media Policy.

11.I agree to adhere to all provisions of our Trust’s Data Protection Policy at all times, whether or not I am on site or using an academy / Trust device, platform or network, and will ensure I do not access, attempt to access, store or share any data which I do not have express permission for. I will protect my passwords/logins and other access, never share credentials and immediately change passwords and notify my academy’s GDPR Ambassador or my Headteacher / Principal if I suspect a breach. I will only use complex passwords and not use the same password as for other systems.

12.I will not store academy-related data on personal devices, storage or cloud platforms (other than through our Trust’s G-Suite applications). USB keys, if allowed, will be encrypted, and I will only use safe and appropriately licensed software, respecting licensing, intellectual property and copyright rules at all times.

13.I will never use academy devices and networks/internet/platforms/other technologies to access material that is illegal or in any way inappropriate for an education setting. I will not attempt to bypass security or monitoring and will look after devices loaned to me.

14.I will not support or promote extremist organisations, messages or individuals, nor give them a voice or opportunity to visit the academy. I will not browse, download or send material that is considered offensive or of an extremist nature.

15.I will follow the guidance in the safeguarding and Online Safety Policy for reporting incidents: I understand the principle of ‘safeguarding as a jigsaw’ where my concern might complete the picture. I have read the sections on handing incidents and concerns about a child in general, sharing nudes and semi-nudes, upskirting, bullying, sexual violence and harassment, misuse of technology and social media.

16.I understand that breach of this AUP and/or of our Trust’s Online Safety Policy may lead to investigation under the Disciplinary Procedure and where appropriate, referral to the relevant authorities.

10. Review and Amendments

Policy Approved: September 2025

Policy Review date: September 2028