Internet Safety

server_lights_Icon-1.jpgSt George's school has a strict Internet access safety policy, with several layers of network protection and filtering on all Internet access and e-mail. 

All students have a dedicated user account on the school network which provides them with a secure area for storing their work, an e-mail address and secure content filtered access to the internet.

The access to the internet is filtered by the school with the assistance of two separate outside security companies, and all students receive an ongoing 'Personal Social Education Programme' to inform them on how to deal with website usage, personal messaging and e-mails which they may find unsuitable. Information on the Click Clever Click Safe programme can be found here.

Students are given an "Acceptable Use Policy" document to give them clear guidlines on what they should and should not do on the school's network.

School policy excludes the use of any external e-mail or messaging systems such as Yahoo, Hotmail and Instant Messengers, although if urgent the IT Dept will be able to provide access in the IT base for a limited period, particularly for boarders or students on International Exchange schemes.

WWW and e-mail filtering is provided using a dual layer of filtering hardware, plus a third layer of desktop software, including the Sophos Anti-Virus product line.

The hardware includes SonicWall Firewalls, BlueCoat Caching Units plus a Barracuda Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus server, all of which constantly monitors and records all communications.

(For home use we advise that, if children use your computer regularly, you should install the CEOP browser tool to help provide the information and support they will need during Internet usage).

Online Safety - Guidance for Parents

In addition to the above information, Mr Hughes, Director of Technologies, has provided a PDF called Online Safety - Guidance for Parents, which can be downloaded by clicking here.

Use of Student Photographs

In common with many other schools St George's allows the use of photographs of the students on our website, although these are not shown with the student's full name unless that information is already fully in the public domain, and even so this may only occur inside the secure Parents' Area. This area has to be logged into with a username and password which only parents and guardians will have access to.

Students very much enjoy seeing themselves online, and the enjoyment they project in school is well worth sharing, however any parent or guardian can ask that a student be completely excluded from having their picture taken for use on the website, or for any particular photograph at all to be removed.

Please just contact the school and we will be happy to assist on this topic as quickly as possible.