Mobberley C of E Primary School
Acceptable Usage Policy

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 

Mobberley C of E Primary School is a vibrant learning community which promotes excellence and enjoyment, enabling all to fulfil their potential and lead useful, productive and happy lives.
As a Church of England school we aim to provide a place where each child feels safe, respected and valued as an individual. 

Introduction
Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are now widely used.  These forms of media allow people to communicate in ways that were not previously possible.  However, such sites can be inappropriately used by some as a means of expressing negative or offensive views about schools and their staff.  This document sets out Mobberley C of E Primary School’s approach to parental use of such sites and sets out the procedures we will follow and action we may take when we consider that parents have used such facilities inappropriately.  When we have referred to “parent” in this document, we also include carers; relatives; or anyone associated with the School.

Social Media Definition
Social media technologies take on many different forms including magazines, Internet forums (message boards), weblogs (blogs), microblogging (Twitter, Reddit), social networks (Facebook), podcasts, photographs or pictures, video and virtual game worlds (Moshi Monsters, Club Penguin).  It should be noted these are examples and this is not an exhaustive list.

The School’s use of Social Media
In addition to the website, Mobberley Primary School has a Twitter account, school website and PTA run Facebook page (this list may change over time) that we use to share school information and celebrate children’s achievements.  Parents have been asked to inform the school in writing if they do not want their child’s photograph appearing online.  The school will never reveal the full name of a child online.

Objectives of this policy
The purpose of this policy is to:
 Encourage social networking sites to be used in a beneficial and positive way by parents;
 Safeguard pupils, staff, governors, and anyone associated with the school from the negative effects of social networking sites;
 Safeguard the reputation of the School from unwarranted abuse on social networking sites;
 Clarify what the School considers to be appropriate and inappropriate use of social networking sites by parents.
 Set out the procedures the School will follow where it considers parents have inappropriately or unlawfully used social networking sites to the detriment of the School, its staff or its pupils, governors, and anyone else associated with the School;
 Set out the action the School will consider taking if parents make inappropriate use of social networking sites.

Appropriate use of social networking sites
The School recognises that many parents and other family members will have personal social networking accounts, which they might use to discuss/share views about school issues with friends and acquaintances.   The School does not monitor individual(s) personal social media networking accounts.  However, if information is passed to the School that is of concern regarding the content of said accounts, the School may choose to investigate the issue further with the relevant parties where it deems that the content is of concern and is directly negatively impacting on the above objectives.
As a guide, individuals should consider the following prior to raising concerns on social media accounts about the School, its staff, governors, its pupils, or anyone else associated with the School:
 Is the social media site the appropriate channel to raise concerns, give this feedback or express these views?
 Would private and confidential discussions with the School be more appropriate? e.g. if there are serious allegations being made/concerns being raised.  
 Are such comments likely to cause emotional or reputational harm to individuals, particularly if the School has not yet had a chance to investigate a complaint?
 The reputational impact that the posting of such material may have to the School; any detrimental harm that the School may suffer as a result of the posting; and the impact that such a posting may have on pupils’ learning.
Social media/internet sites should not be used to name individuals and make abusive comments about those people. Please contact the school to discuss any concerns you may have.
The School reserves the right to contact individuals to express concern about social media posts that may affect the reputation of the school.

Inappropriate use of social networking sites by parents
Although social networking sites may appear to be the quickest and easiest way to express frustrations or concerns about the School (and those associated with it), it is rarely appropriate to do so. Other channels, such as a private and confidential discussion with the School, or using the School’s formal complaints process are much better suited to this.

Mobberley Primary School considers the following examples to be inappropriate uses of social networking sites:
(This list is non-exhaustive and intended to provide examples only):
 Making allegations about staff or pupils at the School/cyber-bullying;
 Making complaints about the School/staff at the School;
 Making defamatory statements about the School or staff at the School;
 Posting negative/offensive comments about specific pupils/staff at the School;
 Posting racist comments;
 Posting comments which threaten violence;
 Posting personal information about an individual;
 Posting confidential information.

Pupil Social Media usage at home
Parents should also ensure that their children are not using social networking/internet sites in an inappropriate manner.  It is expected that parents/carers explain to their children what is acceptable to post online.  
Parents/carers are also expected to monitor their children’s online activity, including in relation to their use of social media.  Please take into consideration the terms and conditions for Facebook which state that users need to be 13 years of age.  Anyone under that age who has an account is violating the terms and conditions and you can report them at http://on.fb.me/dTSqRP.

Cyber Bullying
Mobberley C of E Primary School is committed to ensuring that all of its staff, parents, governors, parents/carers and pupils are treated with dignity and respect.  Bullying and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.  Cyber-bullying methods could include text messages, emails, phone calls, instant messenger services, circulating photos or video clips or by posting comments on web sites, social media pages (including private groups/open forums), blogs or in chat rooms. 

Procedure the School will follow if inappropriate use continues
The School will always try to deal with concerns raised by parents in a professional and appropriate manner and understands that parents may not always realise when they have used social networking sites inappropriately (as per the examples included in this policy).  Therefore, as a first step, the School will usually discuss the matter with the parent to try and resolve the matter and to ask that the relevant information be removed from the social networking site in question.  If the parent refuses to do this and continues to use social networking sites in a manner the School considers inappropriate, the School will consider taking the following action:
 Take legal advice and/or legal action where the information posted is defamatory in any way or if the circumstances warrant this;
 Set out the School’s concerns to you in writing, giving you a warning and requesting that the material in question is removed;
 Contact the Police where the School feels it appropriate – for example, if it considers a crime (such as harassment) has been committed; or in cases where the posting has a racial element, is considered to be grossly obscene or is threatening violence;
 If the inappropriate comments have been made on a school website or online forum, the School may take action to block or restrict that individual’s access to that website or forum;
 Contact the host/provider of the Social Networking site to complain about the content of the site and ask for removal of the information;
 Take other legal action against the individual.

Date: 28th February 2020
To be Reviewed February 2021