Acceptable Use of ICT and Technologies Agreement – Students (The Brunts Academy) September 2025

New technologies have become integral to the lives of children and young people today, both within schools and in their lives outside school. The internet and other digital information and communications technologies are powerful tools, which open new opportunities for everyone. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity, and stimulate awareness of context to promote effective learning. Young people should always have an entitlement to safe internet access.

This acceptable use document is intended to ensure:

• our students are responsible in their use of Academy and other ICT equipment and use it appropriately, showing respect for others in their online activities, both in and out of the Academy


• that young people will be responsible users and stay safe while using the internet and other communications and technologies for educational, personal, and recreational use.


• that the Academy’s ICT systems and users are protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users at risk.
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The Academy will try to ensure that students will have good access to ICT to enhance their learning and will, in return, expect the students to agree to be responsible users.

Acceptable Use Agreement

I understand that I must use the Academy’s ICT systems in a responsible way, to ensure that there is no risk to my safety or to the safety and security of the ICT systems and other users.

For my own personal safety:

• I understand that the Academy will monitor my use of the ICT systems, email and other digital communications;


• I will treat my username and password like my toothbrush – I will not share it, nor will I try to use any other person’s username and password, nor attempt to access other people’s accounts;


• I will be aware that online users may not be who they claim to be, and I will take care when communicating online and not put not personal safety at risk by engaging with people I do not know;


• I will not disclose or share personal information about myself or others like addresses when online;


• I will keep my own account settings private and secure;


• I will not arrange to meet someone face to face that I have only ever met online;


• I will immediately report any unpleasant or inappropriate material or messages or anything that makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it online to a responsible adult (parent, teacher etc).
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I will follow the SMART rules of being online:

Safe- don’t give personal details such as address, mobile contact number

Meet-never arrange to meet anyone I have met online, face to face without an adult being present

Accept-not accept unfamiliar messages and attachments from unknown sources- I will report these, I also accept that not everything on the web is true- much is opinion and not factual

Responsible-I will only use age-appropriate sites/apps and my use of the internet will give me a positive digital footprint

Tell- I will tell a responsible adult if I am worried about any unpleasant/worrying online behaviours.

I understand that everyone has equal rights to use technology as a resource and:

• I understand that the Academy ICT systems are primarily intended for educational use and that I will not use the systems for personal or recreational use unless I have permission to do so;


• I will not try (unless I have permission) to make downloads or uploads that might take up internet capacity and prevent other users from being able to carry out their work;


• I will not use the Academy ICT systems for on-line gaming, on-line gambling, internet shopping, file sharing, or video broadcasting (e.g. YouTube), unless I have permission of a member of staff to do so.
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I will act as I expect others to act towards me:

• I will respect others’ work and property and will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without the owner’s knowledge and permission.


• I will be polite and responsible when I communicate with others, I will not use strong, aggressive, or inappropriate language and I appreciate and respect that others may have different opinions.


• I will not take or distribute images (still images or video) of anyone without their permission/consent. This is not permitted under the Data Protection Act 2018.


• I will not send, forward, share or store images on a device (still images or video) of a child who is nude/naked (sexting or ‘dick pics’) or partially clothed including myself (a child anyone under the age of 18). This constitutes a criminal offence and a serious safeguarding risk.


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I recognise that the Academy has a responsibility to maintain the security and integrity of the technology it offers me and to ensure the Academy’s day-to-day effective operation:

• I will not use my personal mobile phone or other electronic devices in the Academy*, in line with policy and to avoid disruption to learning.


• My mobile phone will be switched off or placed on silent on entry to the academy daily, and not seen, heard, or used until after departing my lesson at 3pm. This includes NOT contacting parents during the day, from, for example, toilets. This can cause unnecessary distress. If a parent needs to be contacted, you should alert staff who will contact parents/carers on your behalf.


• I understand the risks and will not try to upload, download, or access any materials which are illegal or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to others when using Academy I.T. equipment, nor will I try to use any programmes or software that might allow me to bypass the filtering / security systems in place to prevent access to such materials.


• I understand my online activity can result in additional risks created by generative artificial intelligence which creates content that might pose a threat to my safety or welfare. Consequently, my internet use should always be appropriate.


• I will immediately report any damage or faults involving hardware/software; however, this may have happened.


• I will not open any attachments to emails, unless I know and trust the person/organisation who sent the email, due to the risk of the attachment containing malware (software that can cause harm to a computer/electronic device).


• I will not install or attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine, or store programmes on a computer, nor will I try to alter computer settings.


• I will not use chat and social networking sites which are not permitted onsite.


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When using the internet for learning, research, or other purposes, I recognise that:

• I should ensure that I have permission to use the original work of others in my own work. I will also reference sources properly is using them to support my studies;


• Where work is protected by copyright, I will not try to download copies (including music and videos);


• When I am using the internet to find information, I should take care to check that the information that I access is accurate, as I understand that the work of others may not be truthful and may be a deliberate attempt to mislead me.
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I understand that as a member of the The Brunts Academy community, I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of the Academy:

• I understand that the Academy also has the right to act against me if I am involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when I am offsite, and where they involve my membership of the Academy community (examples would be cyber-bullying, inappropriate use of images or personal information, harassment, including sexual harassment, sending or storing indecent images, discriminatory or prejudice conduct, inappropriate use of social media*, particularly where it adversely affects others or brings the Academy into disrepute).


• I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Agreement, I will be subject to disciplinary action. This may include loss of access to the Academy network / internet, detentions, suspensions, contact with parents/carers and in the event of illegal activities, involvement of the police/other external partners.


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*Note most social media applications should not be used by any person under the age of 13

Please complete the section below to show that you have read, understood, and agree to the requirements of the Acceptable Use Agreement. If you do not sign and return this agreement, access will not be granted to Academy’s ICT systems/equipment. Students should be aware that misuse of ICT equipment or inappropriate online behaviour may be against UK Law and be subject to investigation/action covered in this legislation:

Malicious Communication Act 1988 Computer Misuse Act 1990 Communications Act 2003

Equality Act 2010 Serious Crime Act 2015

Student Acceptable Use Agreement Declaration:

This form relates to the student Acceptable Use Agreement to which it is attached.

Please complete the sections below to show that you have read, understood, and agree to the requirements included in the Acceptable Use Agreement. If you do not sign and return this agreement, access will not be granted to the Academy’s ICT systems/equipment.

I have read and understand the above and agree to follow these guidelines when:

• I use the Academy’s ICT systems and equipment (both in and out of the Academy)


• I use my own equipment outside of the Academy in a way that is related to me being a member of this Academy


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e.g. communicating with other members of the Academy including: accessing email, Class-Charts, website, social media, MS Teams etc.

I also agree to ensuring that my online activities will always be responsible and courteous and demonstrate respect for others, not cause any offence, or bring the reputation of the Academy into disrepute.