E Safety for Parents/Carers

Woodmansterne Blogging Policy 2011/12

At Woodmansterne Primary School, each class maintains their own personal weblog (“blog”), which is linked to our school website. The purpose of the blog is to provide a collaborative virtual learning environment for the children where they can access ‘safe’ online material, upload their work or comment on the work of others. The blogs can also be used to upload notices, home learning, relevant curricular links or video tutorials to be accessed out of school by children and their parents.
The following are a set of general guidelines for the use of blogs at Woodmansterne.

 

Safe and Responsible Blogging

The most basic guideline to remember when blogging is that the blog is an extension of the classroom.Nothing should be writtenon the blog that should not be said or written in a classroom.

1. Any speech that is considered inappropriate in the classroom is inappropriate on a blog. This includes, but is not limited to, profanity; racist, sexist or discriminatory remarks; personal attacks. Any comments should be phrased in a way which is respectful and positive. Any feedback should be constructive.

2. All children, staff and parents should endeavour to write posts and comments in good English (including grammar and punctuation). The blog is primarily a learning environment for the children and it is important that we maintain an appropriate standard of writing.

3. Blog safely. NEVER post personal information on the web (including, but not limited to, last names, personal details including address or phone numbers). (Note: The advice to not use last names is for child protection purposes. Teachers may choose to use their last names for their posts/comments.) Children should be referred to only by first name (unless in association with a photograph, in which case they should not be identified).

4. Parents who leave comments should use only their first name so as not to identify their child. Or post comments as “Reena’s Mum” or “Gary’s Grandfather”.

5. Pictures or videos may be inserted into the blogs. These must be appropriate for use in a school document and copyright laws must be followed. Children should not be identified in these media.
6. Any web sites that are linked to the blog or blog comments should always be deemed as appropriate for a school setting.

7. All posts and comments are checked before they are published.

Any concerns about blog content or the security of the blogs should be referred to Mrs McDonald or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.