Broadband
What is Broadband?
Broadband is the term used to describe high speed networking services. It uses a wide range or band of frequencies for information to travel along.
Broadband in Merthyr Tydfil Schools
The Welsh Assembly Government recommend that primary and special schools have a broadband speed of 2MB, while secondary schools have an 8MB connection. Merthyr Tydfil have ensured that all Primary, Special and Secondary schools have a 10Mbps connection, while Nursery Schools have a 2Mbps connection.
All nursery, primary, special and secondary schools within Merthyr Tydfil have broadband access.
The Benefits of Broadband Technology
Broadband technology provides Internet access that is always on with the cost for the service at a fixed annual rate. Schools will enjoy the vast increase in speed with the new 10Mbps connection being 78x faster than the previous ISDN2 line. This speed increase will enable a greater number of simultaneous users to benefit from the Internet, multimedia content incorporating audio and video will be much easier to access, while technologies such as video conferencing will now be a viable option.
Internet Filtering
All schools in Merthyr Tydfil have an administration broadband connection and a curriculum broadband connection.
1. Administation Connection
The administration connection in each school is filtered by Websense, with the exception of our 3 nursery schools which are filtered with RM. The RM filtering policy can be found from the following link:-
http://www.rm.com/Support/TechnicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC5752
Further information on the Websense filtering software can be found at:-
http://www.websense.com/global/en/
2. Curriculum Connection
The curriculum connection is filtered by the company RM.
Primary Schools
All our primary schools are filtered using RM Safetynet Plus. Each school also has access to an RM administration site where they are able to set up their own filters. To access this site schools should contact the IT team for their username and password.
Secondary Schools
All our secondary schools have an RM Smartcache box. This provides each school with total control over the filtering in their school. With these boxes they are able to audit and track the use of their individual pupils and are also able to vary internet access to times and rooms.
School Responsibilities
Internet & Email Policy: Each school in Merthyr Tydfil needs to ensure that they have an up-to-date Internet and Email Policy in place. The Internet and Email Policy Template can be used to support schools in formulating their own policy.
- Parental Consent: It is good practice for parents to sign a permission letter for their child to use the Internet. It has been agreed that this should be incorporated into each school's Admission Booklet.
- Inappropriate Access: If pupils access inappropriate material via the internet then it is the school’s responsibility to inform the appropriate personnel immediately. For those schools who have a service level agreement (SLA) with the IT division please contact the Schools ICT Helpdesk on (01685) 724999 or email schoolsict@merthyr.gov.uk. The Schools team will ensure all relevant parties are notified and all inappropriate material is removed. For those schools who have opted out of the Schools ICT SLA you are required to report such security breaches to the Audit Section on 01685 725298.
Page updated 16th July 2008
Contact Details
School ICT Support
Integrated Children’s Services
Ty Keir Hardie
Riverside Court
Avenue De Clichy
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8XD
Telephone 01685 724600
Fax 01685 721965
E-mail officeservices@merthyr.gov.uk
Website www.schoolsict.merthyr.gov.uk