1. Introduction
At Turning Point Leeds (TPL), we recognise the importance of safe, responsible, and respectful use of technology to support teaching, learning, communication, and administration. This Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) sets out the expectations for staff and pupils in using TPL’s digital resources, networks, and devices.
The purpose of this agreement is to:
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Protect pupils, staff, and the wider community from online risks.
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Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, and legal requirements.
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Promote restorative approaches to misuse, focusing on accountability, repair, and education.
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2. General Principles
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Responsible Use: All users must use technology responsibly, ethically, and in line with TPL policies.
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Safety First: Protect your own safety and that of others. Report concerns immediately.
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Compliance: All users must comply with relevant laws, including the Equality Act 2010, GDPR, and KCSiE 2024.
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3. Staff Acceptable Use Guidelines
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Professional conduct: Use technology in a way that upholds professional standards and role responsibilities.
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Educational focus: Technology should primarily support teaching, assessment, planning, communication, and professional development.
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Data protection: Handle pupil data securely and confidentially, following TPL’s GDPR and data handling policies.
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Safeguarding duty: Report any e-safety concerns immediately to the DSL and host school DSL.
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Role modelling: Demonstrate positive digital behaviour to pupils at all times.
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4. Pupil Acceptable Use Guidelines
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Learning focus: Use school technology only for learning, under staff guidance.
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Respect: Communicate online in a respectful and kind way towards peers and staff.
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Safety awareness: Report inappropriate or harmful content, cyberbullying, or online risks to staff immediately.
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Device use: All personal mobile phones/devices must be handed in each morning and stored securely until the end of the school day.
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Responsibility: Pupils are accountable for their own digital behaviour and must not misuse systems or devices.
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5. Prohibited Actions (applies to staff and pupils)
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Accessing, creating, or distributing inappropriate, offensive, or harmful content.
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Engaging in cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, or discriminatory behaviour.
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Attempting to bypass security systems, filters, or access unauthorised networks.
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Sharing or misusing confidential information.
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Using school technology for illegal activity.
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6. Consequences of Misuse
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Restorative focus: Misuse will be addressed restoratively where possible, helping individuals understand the impact of their actions, repair harm, and rebuild trust.
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Disciplinary action: In serious cases, sanctions may include suspension of access to devices, internal disciplinary procedures, or termination of placement (for pupils) in line with safeguarding needs.
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Escalation: Serious breaches may be reported to the police, the LADO, or other relevant authorities.
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7. Review
This agreement will be reviewed annually, or earlier if required by changes in legislation, technology, or TPL procedures.
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Written: August 2025
Next Review: August 2026