We were shocked to read an article in one of the national papers last week which reported that “one in six secondary school pupils are accessing porn on a school computer.”

The survey, which was conducted by the Daisy Group, polled 1000 children across the UK on their use of the internet during school hours.

Another worrying statistic was that only a quarter of those who took part in the survey said they had been blocked by strict internet security settings when trying to access inappropriate websites.

The reason we are so concerned about the findings in this report is that there is no reason for this to be happening. The technology and expertise is out there to support schools.

We have installed internet connections into many schools across the Midlands and rate internet security on a par with speed and connectivity. HBT works closely with our partners at WatchGuard, a speciality internet security company who has developed a comprehensive security package which balances the safety of students and staff without compromising the learning experience.

We feel it’s important when working with schools to liaise closely with your management team to identify any potential network risks and advise on the best tools to protect your school and your network whilst retaining acceptable use.

If you have any concerns about student safety in your school, please get in touch and we will be happy to offer advice and if possible, a visit to carry out a free security audit.

HBT Communications delivers IT and telecommunications solutions to schools and colleges across the Midlands.