Cidari Multi Academy Trust and its family of Academies embrace social media as a channel to keep our pupils, students, parents & carers, employees, communities and other stakeholders up to date and engaged in our organisation.

Social Media provides a unique platform to share information, good news, best practice and engage in conversations. Its use within our organisation is govenerned by strict protocols and policy to ensure its use is appropriate, relevant, safe and managed. To view the Social Media Policy (draft for approval) click here

Throughout the school year, photo opportunities/multi-media opportunities exist both in the classroom and during special events. These opportunities may include, but are not limited to class pictures, productions, trips, play, award events, learning activities. Names will not normally be used, and if they are, they will be be kept separate from images. Any use will be governed by the permissions you have already given for you or your childs pictures through the annual opt out/ permission form, whilst you can choose to opt out (or back in) at any time by contacting an Academy directly.

Strict safeguarding protocols are adhered to at all times, and all staff using or contributing to social media have been appropriately trained in its use. All parents/ carers engaging in social media with the Trust or its Academies are expetcted to follow our code of conduct for parents & carers.

Social media is being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools/ Academies, Headteachers, school staff, and in some cases other parents or pupils.

The Department for Education/Government, Cidari Board of Directors and Local Governing Committees of our Academies consider the use of social media websites being used in this way as unacceptable. Any concerns you may have about the Trust, Academy or your child/children must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the class teacher, the Headteacher or the Chair of Local Governing Committee, where they will be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned.

Libellous or Defamatory posts

In the event that any pupil or parent/carer of a child/children at a Cidari Academy is found to be posting libellous or defamatory comments on Facebook or other social network sites, they will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site. All social network sites have clear rules about the content which can be posted on the site and they provide robust mechanisms to report contact or activity which breaches this. The school will also expect that any parent/carer or pupil removes such comments immediately.

Cyber Bullying

We take very seriously the use of cyber bullying by one child or a parent to publicly humiliate another by inappropriate social network entry.  We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of bullying.

The Trust will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse on social networking and other sites

For further information and guidance on e-safety visit Childnet by clicking here.

Diocese of Blackburn