Page 37 - Pastoral Guide 2025-2026

VPNs During free time, pupils are able to use the
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are software platforms which allow the user to access the internet as though they were in a different country. This is used by people to get around content blocks on video streaming services such as Netflix, or to access websites which may be blocked in countries of residence. However, pupils who use VPNs can bypass
the College’s web filter, which therefore means that they can bypass all the protections that come with the web filter. Pupils are therefore not allowed to use VPNs whilst at the College. At the beginning of each school year a two-week amnesty is given to all pupils to remove any VPNs they have installed, or to speak to IT Services for help with removal.
Web filter
The College has a robust web filter installed on its network. This web filter inspects all traffic flowing between the College’s network and
the internet. The College uses this web filter for two purposes:
» Security: The College uses the web filter to ensure that attempts to access malicious websites (whether intentional or not) are blocked. This is to protect both the College and all users (staff and students). The web filter also scans any downloads for viruses.
» Pastoral: The College uses the web filter to enforce three distinct times of day for pupils: free time, school time and bedtime. These times of day determine what types of websites can be accessed.
internet as though they were at home (with restrictions). During school time, pupils are able to access only websites deemed to be educational or to have educational value. After bedtime, the internet is not accessible. The College also uses the web filter for the monitoring of keywords pupils may type into search engines, YouTube, and some social media. These keywords are used by the pastoral team for pastoral preventative measures. It is important to understand that no staff monitors these words, and instead the College is reliant on the filter reporting instances of these words being observed.
What the IT Department does with pupil laptops and phones when pupils join the school
When pupils first arrive at the College, they hand in their laptops and phones, with associated passwords and login codes,
to the IT Department. The IT Department
then installs Microsoft Office (365), OneNote, Teams and OneDrive onto each laptop. The IT department also installs a web security certificate onto each device (including mobile phones). This allows each device to access the internet on the College’s network and also allows the College (as described above) to monitor keywords in search engines and social media; the privacy of your child’s
data is paramount during this process.
PASTORAL GUIDE TO MALVERN COLLEGE
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