St Catherine's School
ICT Acceptable Use Policy
(Prep and Senior)

Reviewed by:	Senior Deputy Head
Last Reviewed:	September 2026
Next Review:	May 2027

SCHOOL MISSION We are inspired by St Catherine of Siena, who said ‘Be who God wants you to be, and you will set the world on fire’, to form young women of confidence and compassion, ready for service and leadership in the world. We fulfil our mission through these values:   Community: a place of cheerfulness, dignity and tolerance, where all are welcome Faith: a Christ-centred school with time for reflection; a culture of gratitude and friendship Courage: with self-knowledge, resilience and integrity, and a readiness for challenge Scholarship: where gifts are developed through curiosity, imagination and ambition Service: commitment to others, to stewardship, and to justice and hope for all

Equipment and Conduct

I will only use ICT systems in school for the purposes of learning as directed by teachers and support staff (including digital video, mobile devices, cameras, sound recording devices etc.).

I understand the importance of respecting that others have rights around their privacy and the use of their image.  I therefore understand that I must not use camera/video/livestream facilities on mobile phones or other devices to photograph/video record other members of the school without their consent. 

If I am using a school device I will not interfere with or make any adjustments to any of the hardware or settings to the computer, monitor, mouse, printer, or any other peripheral or cabling.  

If I find that any component has been adjusted or damaged, I will not attempt to repair any hardware myself, but will report it at once to the Strategic Technology Manager  or to my teacher. 

If I use a school device I will not leave it unattended and ensure it is put back in its rightful place and I will leave workstations tidy and ready for the next user.

I will not risk accidentally damaging the computers or other ICT equipment by eating or drinking when using them.

I will access only those network areas, which I am allowed to use, namely  my account, My Google Drive and Shared Drives I am granted access to. In particular, I will not attempt to access other people’s data. I will use only the software that is installed on the system. In particular, I will not bring into school or download any games, software, USB or external drives or other applications or  files and will check that any music, graphics, video or text material that I may bring in is in connection with one of my courses or other school approved activity, and that such material does not break copyright law.

I will do my utmost to ensure that I do not bring any computer viruses or malware into school. If I discover that one of my school files is infected, I will immediately report it to the Strategic Technology Manager or my teacher.

I will use the printing facilities strictly for education, choosing the appropriate time to print my work.

I will never share my passwords with anyone and will change my password regularly or when instructed. I will never attempt to log in to someone else’s account, and understand this would be a breach of a number of laws in relation to computer misuse and data protection.

I understand that I must be cautious when copying and pasting or downloading  material from the internet, and know that in certain circumstances this might result in my work not being accepted by my teacher and/or an examination board.

I understand that the school's filtering and monitoring systems are used to help protect pupils and the school community and to identify safeguarding and security concerns. I understand that my use of school devices, accounts, networks and internet services may be monitored in accordance with the school's policies and applicable law.

If I accidentally access inappropriate or blocked content, I will stop viewing it and report it to a member of staff. I understand that accidentally encountering inappropriate content is different from deliberately searching for or accessing it.

I will not attempt to hack, interfere with or gain access to any device, network or service I am not permitted to use and I understand in doing so I may be in breach of the Computer Misuse Act 1990. I understand the importance of reporting to a member of staff immediately if I witness others attempting to do so.

I will not attempt to circumvent the IT network through the use of VPNs, proxies or other tools.

Email/Internet

When in school I will only use the school email account for school purposes.

I understand that use of the school internet, email and network is monitored to ensure proper use of the system. Activity is monitored for safeguarding and security.

If I use any material downloaded from the Internet in any of my work, I will indicate its source and clearly identify any section used verbatim.

I will respect the Data Protection Act 2018 and will not reveal personal information about others or myself when using the school’s email and internet.

I will only use the internet for educational purposes and I will not attempt to bypass the school’s internet filtering system. Accordingly, I will not use mobile connectivity on any personal device I bring into school to access content I know to be blocked on the school internet.

I will inform a teacher if I find a website, content, email or other communication which I think my parents or my teachers would consider unsuitable.

Social Media

I understand that Social Media sites are blocked by the internet filter in school, and access is not permitted unless allowed to support school work under very strict guidance from teaching staff.

I will not use Social Media sites (such as Facebook, X, WhatsApp etc.) to do anything which might bring the school, peers or staff into disrepute.

I will not use social media or online communication to bully, harass, threaten, intimidate, impersonate or deliberately cause harm to another member of the school community.

I will not share photographs, videos, recordings, screenshots, personal information or other material relating to pupils or staff without appropriate consent or authorisation.

I will not attempt to create a friendship with any members of staff (or ex-members of staff) through Social Media sites.

I understand that online behaviour outside school may become a school safeguarding or behaviour matter where it affects the safety or wellbeing of pupils or staff or has a significant impact on the school community.

Online safety

I understand that using the internet, social media, online games, messaging services and other digital technologies can expose me to risks, including inappropriate or harmful content, bullying and harassment, unwanted contact, grooming, exploitation, scams, fraud, extremist or hateful material and other forms of online abuse.

I understand that online activity can affect my safety and the safety and wellbeing of others, whether it takes place in or outside school.

I will tell a member of staff if I see, receive, create or am asked to share anything online that makes me feel unsafe, uncomfortable or concerned, including threats, bullying, inappropriate images, requests for personal or intimate information, or contact from someone I do not know.

I understand that I should report concerns even if I have accidentally accessed or received inappropriate material. 

Generative Artificial Intelligence

I will only use generative AI tools (such as Google Gemini and ChatGTP) when I have been authorised to use them by the school and in accordance with the instructions given by my teacher.  

I understand that images, video, audio and other content can be created or manipulated using AI, including deepfakes. I understand that such content can be used to deceive, bully, harass, humiliate, threaten or exploit people. I will not create, request, possess or share harmful or inappropriate AI-generated or manipulated content involving another person and will report concerns to a member of staff.

I understand that AI can produce inaccurate, misleading, biased or outdated information and that I must check important information against reliable sources.

I will not enter personal, sensitive, confidential or safeguarding information about myself or another person into an AI system unless specifically authorised by the school.

I understand that AI-generated work must not be presented as entirely my own work. Where required, I will acknowledge or reference my use of AI in accordance with my teacher's instructions and examination or awarding-body requirements.
Personal devices

If I am using my own laptop I must have explicit permission from and sign and agree to the Acceptable Use Policy: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) - Pupils. I will allow  the Strategic Technology Manager access to my device at any time this is requested in order for it to be checked. I will access the WiFi using my school user account. I will keep my device up to date and ensure that I have antivirus software installed and that my device has no illegal copies of software installed.

I understand that I must abide by the mobile phone policy in place for my year group, and understand there are consequences if I fail to do so.

I understand that, if I am given permission to use my device during a lesson, this is an important privilege that I must not abuse.

For year groups using Yondr

I understand that it is my responsibility to bring my Yondr pouch to school each day.  I understand that if I forget my pouch, I will be required to hand in my phone at Reception for safe-keeping during the day.

I understand that if I lose my Yondr pouch, or damage it in a way such that it can no longer be used, there will be a charge for a replacement.

I understand that if I am found to be using a mobile phone, despite the Yondr system, the phone will be confiscated and sanctions may be given depending on the circumstances.

Student and Parental Agreement

Please click here to access the Pupil Agreement in relation to this policy.
Please click here to access the Parent Agreement in relation to this policy.

Pupil Agreement

I understand and will abide by the provisions of this agreement for the duration of my time at St Catherine’s. I understand that any violations of the above provisions may result in disciplinary action and removal of ICT privileges. 
I understand that failure to follow this agreement may result in appropriate action under the School's Behaviour Policy, including restriction or removal of access to ICT facilities. I understand that serious incidents may also be dealt with under the school's safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, referred to external agencies.

Parent/Carer Agreement

I have read this agreement and I understand that the provisions apply throughout my daughter’s time at the school. I understand that access to ICT at St Catherine’s School is for educational purposes. I will ensure that my daughter understands the content of this agreement. I understand that the school provides a filtered service, but I agree to report any misuse of the system to the school. 

Below are summary bullet points for use by parents of Prep pupils when talking through the Acceptable Use Policy. 

• Only use ICT in school for learning purposes.
• Don’t record other members of the school community without their consent.
• Don’t alter, damage or try to repair any school computer equipment.
• Only access your own network areas.
• Don’t try to access other people’s network areas or email.
• Don’t bring gaming software into school.Don’t bring computer viruses into school.
• Tell a teacher if you think a file is infected with a virus.
• Only use school printers for educational purposes.
• Don’t share your passwords with other people.
• Only use school email for school purposes.
• Don’t cut and paste text from the internet without saying where it is from.
• All activity on school internet, email and the network is monitored and filtered.
• Don’t reveal personal information about others when using school internet and email.
• Only use school internet for educational purposes.
• Tell a teacher if you find a website or email that is unsuitable or makes you uncomfortable.
• Don’t use social media while at school.
• Don’t use social media in a way that would give others a bad impression of the school.
• Don’t try to create a friendship with any current or ex-members of staff via social media.
• Don’t install any software without a licence.
• Follow the mobile phone policy in place for your year group.