Everybody learning, anywhere, anytime…

This document was presented to Headteachers of North East Lincolnshire Schools during the week of 12.10.01

Please note this is an Historical Document

1. Full Internet - no restrictions (any web site can be accessed)
2. CyberPatrol 6 - Internet Filtering for Education (totally new program)
3. No Internet

Guidance from the Government web site on Internet safety:
"All schools have a responsibility to filter both access at school and any access pupils are given as part of home-school links."
http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk/

There is no perfect solution to Internet filtering. No Internet filtering software is foolproof. In their review of Internet filtering software the Parents Information Network www.pin-parents.com found problems with all of them (they have not yet reviewed CyberPatrol 6). If someone is determined to get around filtering, they will. Careful supervision is the most effective solution.

Amongst members of NAACE (National Association of Advisers for Computers in Education), it is recommended that the best form of filtering the Internet is by directing pupils and supervision.

1. Full Internet - no restrictions (any web site can be accessed)
This is the solution with the most risk. If anything undesirable is requested, it will appear. However, if you feel that pupils are adequately supervised and there is a disciplinary procedure for those that try to access undesirable material, this option allows the most freedom. Pupils will be able to access any sites needed. History logs can be checked to see if users have accessed undesirable material.
If The Lighthouse for Education web site is used, on the Education web sites page there are 4 filtered search engines. These will provide extra protection.

2. CyberPatrol 6 - Internet Filtering for Education.
This is probably the safest solution with Internet access. CyberPatrol 6 is a totally new form of filter software. SurfControl, who produce CyberPatrol, have combined the filtering power of 3 different products and a database of over 2 million web sites divided into 40 categories. There are daily updates to these Category Lists which represents an average of 15,000 new sites added a week. Undesirable sites are blocked, desirable sites are allowed. (For categories see CyberPatrol web site or email a request to rupert.collins@nelincs.gov.uk.)

In a 2 day trial both myself and Steve Millington (Central IT technician) were unable to access any undesirable material but were able to access educational material and any other sites suitable for pupils. This version of CyberPatrol has now been installed in several schools.

All web sites on The Lighthouse for Education and all education sites that were searched for in the test could be viewed.

CyberPatrol checks every request for a web site against its Category Lists to determine whether the site is allowed or not. CyberPatrol 6 monitors, reports, and manages pupils' web access in order to safeguard them from inappropriate material.

In addition to this filtering, a list of undesirable search words has been added so no search results using these words can be viewed.

If you wish pupils to view a site and find it is blocked, either that site or the category the site belongs to can be allowed.

It is possible that some pupils may find a way around the system but this is not easy to do. In the past when pupils have accessed undesirable material, in nearly every case, this has been done deliberately (we have only one case on record where a site containing a topless photo was accessed in innocence). The CyberPatrol logs can be used to determine what route the pupil took.

Derek Kennard (Senior Adviser) has taken legal advice and it is imperative that schools have an Internet policy approved by Governors and brought to the attention of parents. Without such a policy a school would have no protection against legal action if a pupil accesses an undesirable web site. Even with such a policy there is no guarantee of absolute legal immunity.

The Internet policy should contain the passage:
"In common with other media such as magazines, books and video, some material available via the Internet is unsuitable for pupils. The school will supervise pupils and take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users access only appropriate material. However, due to the international scale and linked nature of information available via the Internet, it is not possible to guarantee that particular types of material will never appear on a terminal. Neither the school nor LEA can accept liability for the material accessed, or any consequences thereof." (This is part of the recommended policy from Kent available at:
http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/policy.html - most schools used this for guidance.)

CyberPatrol can block search words, incorporate time settings and can have different users set to different levels.

If this setting is used in addition to The Lighthouse for Education web site and the filtered search engines on the Education web sites page are used, it is extremely unlikely that undesirable web sites will be accessed. (Note during August 2001 Google (search engine) improved their filtered 'Safe Search' even further.)

The new version of CyberPatrol ensures the school can effectively fulfil the QCA scheme of work.
At Key Stage 1 - searching a database, which could include Internet searching.
At Key Stage 2 and above - collecting factual information and searching for information.

3. No Internet
The opt out solution. Section 362 of the Education Act allows schools to present a case to the Secretary of State and provide an alternative curriculum, which does not contain the Internet.

Where schools are uncomfortable with this and wish to provide entitlement to the National Curriculum it would be possible to create an Intranet system that contains search facility and email.

Action for the School:

CyberPatrol can be tailored to your needs
You can have different groups using different categories and these can be changed at different times. As part of a disciplinary procedure the school can withdraw Internet use for users who abuse the system or allow only certain categories.
The standard set-up should be suitable for most schools. For this, if you already have the old version of CyberPatrol, you need do nothing - Steve Millington from Central IT will be upgrading the old version of CyberPatrol to version 6.

Home Page
It is advisable that whatever option you choose that you have The Lighthouse for Education as your Internet start page (home page) or that you have easy access to it. This can be requested from Central IT on 01472 323999 if you have a support agreement with them. It is also advisable that any web sites you use regularly should be listed on The Lighthouse in specified places (requests to myself) so that pupils have easy access to them both at school and at home. The Lighthouse for Education is your web site and any requests from N. E. Lincs. Schools are acted upon.

Internet Policy
Make sure your Internet policy contains the passage above and has been brought before Governors and to the attention of parents.

If you have any questions regarding Internet safety or any points made by this document please direct them to myself. I will be happy to visit, give advice over the phone or via email.