WSGFL and the WSTA

If you cannot access this blog from school then you will need to submit a request to ictinschools@westsussex.gov.uk. They can provide you with the name of the "nominated person" for your school to engage in the (somewhat tedious and ludicrously bureaucractic) process of unblocking.

We have received the following message from WSGFL:

Thank you all for your comments.

Government guidance is available from Becta on 'E-safety' and 'Safeguarding Children in a Digital World,' these documents can be found here:

http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=25934&page=1835
http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=25933&page=1835

All schools have an AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) - guidance and sample policies for schools to adapt can be found here: http://wsgfl.westsussex.gov.uk/aup
There are differing ranges of filter policies available to and in use by West Sussex schools. The West Sussex Policy is currently under review following implementation of a new filtering system, which will give more flexibility to those schools that wish to take on filtering at school level, in addition to the standard filter. This will allow schools the option to add or remove access to websites for school users and will extend to having the power to give differing levels of filtering to groups of computers within school networks.

The West Sussex Filter Policy Group is a team made up of representatives from West Sussex schools. Based on consultation they agree policy and practice for the filtering in West Sussex. The filter policy is also shared with a number of Local Authorities.

The westsussexteachersassociation.blogspot.com has always been available to schools to view but the posting of blogs to any blogging site is blocked under the current West Sussex Filtering Policy.

In consultation with the Filter Policy Group, this site has now been given the correct classification of ‘blogging’ which does mean this site is now blocked as a default for children.

However, the site is available to 'view and post' from within school on computers that have a specific filter applied should the school choose to. In this particular case the Staff filter will allow full access to the site. This can be arranged through the school Nominated Contact.

There is a process in place for schools requesting the unblocking and blocking of websites. The request is submitted for consideration and reclassification of the site as necessary.

Check access to this blog

This blog has been unblocked but we suggest members check whether they can access it from school and inform ictinschools@westsussex.gov.uk if there is a problem. (Part of the screen is blocked on school computers but this is the link to the rest of blogspot.)

It would also be worthwhile for members to check out which other sites are blocked.

Censorship in West Sussex

We have commented in the past on how useful WSGFL is for teachers in West Sussex. However in their zeal to protect pupils from evil websites they have gone a step too far.

They have blocked this blog so that teachers cannot access it from school. Of course you can still access it from home.

This is extraordinary because the site has links to inservice training and ICT training courses teachers can take.


If you have any thoughts on this you might like to email ictinschools@westsussex.gov.uk and give them your opinion. The more people contact them the sooner this unfortunate policy can be reversed.