06 Staff Code of Conduct: Online Boundaries

Purpose

This code sets clear expectations for how staff behave with pupils in live online group lessons and when using school platforms, so that every pupil knows exactly what is and is not acceptable from an adult.

Scope

It applies to all staff, trustees, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the school while working with pupils online.

Professional boundaries

• Staff maintain professional behaviour at all times and avoid any contact that could be perceived as personal, romantic or inappropriate.
• Staff do not give pupils personal gifts, money or favours, and do not share personal details of their own lives that go beyond what teaching requires.
• Where a boundary is crossed by accident, the member of staff tells the Designated Safeguarding Lead themselves rather than waiting for someone else to notice.

Group-only communication

• Staff communicate with pupils only through approved group channels: the live class chat, moderated learning platforms, and other school-approved public or group spaces.
• Staff do not use private messaging, direct messages, personal email or any off-platform contact with pupils.
• Staff do not create private groups or chats with individual pupils outside approved school systems.
• Staff use only the school's approved platforms and accounts.

Live lesson expectations

• Staff supervise and manage behaviour during live lessons, and remain present for the whole session.
• Staff instruct pupils to turn cameras on or off based on safeguarding and teaching needs, and explain the reason.
• Staff do not ask pupils for unnecessary personal details and do not encourage overly intrusive behaviour or personal disclosure.
• Staff keep their own background, dress and language appropriate to a room full of children.

Communication tone and moderation

• Staff use respectful, age-appropriate language in speech and in chat.
• Staff use the platform's moderation controls where they exist, including mute, remove participant and report tools.
• Praise and correction are given in the group space, never in a private message.

Reporting concerns

Any breach of this code, and any concern about another adult's behaviour, must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Reports are taken seriously and recorded.

Review

This code is reviewed at least once a year and after any safeguarding or online safety incident.