Northern Grid for Learning - School Broadband, eSafety, Learning Resources and More

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• Help ensure that all adults (teachers, assistants, governors, visitors to the school and those in contact with pupils off site including potentially, outdoor pursuit’s centres, work experience placements etc.) can work confidently, safely and maintain the standards of the school and their profession.
• Help reduce the opportunity for misplaced or malicious allegations.
• Ensure that all adults have a clear understanding that illegal, inappropriate and unsafe behaviours are unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action.

This document could be included in the staff induction pack and used as part of wider staff development programme.

It is understandable that colleagues may see new technologies and communication tools as opportunities to ‘connect’ with and support children more effectively.

Scenarios

• Teachers may take the opportunity to use a personal camera phone in class to record a magic moment when a pupil’s work demonstrates their learning.
• Teachers may send a comforting message to the child who is struggling to revise in a home with unsupportive parents and making progress against all the odds.
• Out of school, if a child sends an instant message saying they’re bored – it is understandable that some teachers may engage with them in an attempt to motivate them to complete assignments and go the extra mile to improve their attainment.
• A teacher who suggests to a child new to the area that they could use a social networking site to make friends may find themselves held responsible if the child is subsequently a victim of cyberbullying - or worse.

And if in doubt – Ask!