Introduction
This document forms the editorial policy for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust suite of websites:
* please go direct to website for Terms and Conditions as these sites are run jointly with other organisations.
It is expected that anyone creating content for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust suite of sites will adhere to these guidelines. This includes third parties such as consultants for the Trust, educational contributors and contributors to discussion forums. Any queries about this document will be dealt with by the Web Editor (webeditor@ssatrust.org.uk).
This document should also be used as a guide for other content types published, including marketing materials, electronic newsletters, and external publications.
In some cases, content submitted to the web editor or published directly to the sites may be considered unsuitable for publication. In such cases, this document should be used as a guide to what is and what is not acceptable. In the event that content is thought to contravene the guidelines laid down in this editorial policy, the Web Editor reserves the right to refuse publication or take down said content.
Content is required to comply strictly with this guideline to ensure that nothing is published that may damage the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
Editorial input
The Web Editor reserves the right to discuss certain decisions based on this policy. For example, this document would not allow potentially racist comments to be published. However, certain articles may be based around, for example, certain current events or views of certain people that, in context, would allow such comments to be published. In such a case an adapted compliance policy would be developed.
For the purposes of this document a 'comment' is a set of words, phrase, sentence or paragraph within an article, feature, white paper, report, newsletter or other content associated with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. All compliance therefore applies equally to sections of an article as to the whole article itself.
Policy overview
- Clean, constructive comments within articles only
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow denigrating comments
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will show a fair and balanced view
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow libellous comments
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust must not be shown to be encouraging or condoning criminal or immoral activity
If in doubt:
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will reject the article OR
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will edit the article as necessary and publish it
Violence
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow comments that encourage violence
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow comments that sympathise with violence
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust allows reasonable comments, which mention violence in appropriate circumstances
Religion or racism
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow any text that can be deemed offensive or pertaining to any group of people
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow denigrating comments in reference to religions
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust allows fair and reasonable; comments/questions and where necessary, represent both sides of the discussion
Swearing
- Swearing is not permitted within content on any of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust websites
- Swearing is not permitted on any external editorial based material
Harassment
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow any comments that may result in others feeling threatened or specifically targeted or abused
Hatred
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow an article to express genuine hatred or excessive negative feeling towards other groups or individuals
- Debate is allowed without prejudice or nastiness
Libellous statements
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow any statements or comments about a person or organisation that cannot be proved to be true and may be considered damaging to their reputation and or interests
- Invasion of privacy in relation to people or organisations is to be strictly avoided
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow any comments that could be judged as defamatory;
- References to upsetting / distressing subjects:
- Comments must be specifically relevant to the topic being discussed
- Must be fair and reasonable
- Names of victims in relation to specific legal events should not be mentioned unless they are already in the public domain
Editorial tone
- Must be objective
- Should create a thoughtful dialogue by being provocative, stimulating and dynamic to reflect the nature of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
Criminal or immoral activity
- If in doubt the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will not let the comment or article be published
- Comments will be specifically relevant to the topic being discussed
- A balanced view will be shown on controversial subjects on the issues of policy
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust must not be shown to be encouraging or condoning criminal or immoral activity
Homophobia and sexual references
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust does not allow anything that could be considered offensive to their audience, whatever their sexual preference.
Political bias
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust avoids political rhetoric
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust avoids general political comments, in particular negativity
- Political debates, or debates with political elements, will always show a balanced discussion. If in doubt, or if a balanced viewpoint is not easily implemented, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will edit the article
- The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust allows political comments in context, but only sparingly and if directly necessary
Reporting v opinion
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust seeks to portray diverse views and opinions but does not endorse all the views whose material it publishes. When the core of content is purely personal opinion of the author and is intended to promote only one side of an argument, the source will be given (for example opinions contained within meeting minutes published online).
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as an organisation may adopt or facilitate a position, or become involved in a campaign, based on the process of agreement as upheld by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust management. Any such decisions will be made explicit.
Corrections policy
When the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust recognises it has published false or misleading information, it will publish corrections on the
www.ssatrust.org.uk website with due prominence, and bring it to the attention of the originator of the material.
Take down policy for third party content
In the event that content is published online which is deemed unsuitable, the Web Editor reserves the right to take down that content.
The Web Editor will take reasonable steps to trace the author and report the removal of content. The author has the right to respond that their material should not have been removed, for example, on the basis that it was legal or that a mistake or a misidentification has been made. They can then choose to either fight in the courts or to issue a Replacement Notice to require the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust to replace the material.
Content is required to comply strictly with this guideline to ensure that nothing is published that may damage the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
Right to reply
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust welcomes comment/feedback of all our content and alternative points of view.
Press release embargoes
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust respects embargoes in all material issued to the press, to the extent that they are respected by other media.
Conflict of interest
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will work towards complete transparency of all relations between the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust content and its sources.
Picture policy
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust takes care not to wilfully misrepresent the subjects and objects portrayed in the images used on its site. Captions and attributions should always be fair and accurate. Digital manipulation will only be used to enhance a photograph (ie to clarify, not change, its meaning).
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will acquire written consent of those who are represented in photos on the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust website or publications. There is a photo consent form available to Trust staff for this purpose (to obtain a copy please email
webeditor@ssatrust.org.uk). Where a headteacher or other high-level school authority gives permission for photos of their students to be used, this will be considered by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as consent for all those pictured, unless advised otherwise.
Photographs which disregard health and safety guidelines (for example, photos showing students undertaking potentially dangerous experiments without safety goggles) will not be published.
Video policy
As with still images, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will take care not to wilfully misrepresent the subjects and objects portrayed in the video used on its site. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will acquire written consent and copyright agreement to broadcast video footage. Every video clip will be credited to the producer and source.
Contributions from schools and speakers
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust websites host a large amount of content from contributing schools and speakers. It is the responsibility of those sourcing this content to seek permission from schools and speakers before making it available across the websites. The contributors should be aware of their responsibility to ensure that any quotations, images, diagrams, etc, which they include in content for the Trust sites, of which they are not the originators, should be attributed to the source. If content is copyright protected, contributors must provide evidence of permission from the originator.
Other languages
The SSAT does not accept responsibility for information written in a language other than English. Such information may not necessarily reflect the opinion of the SSAT and will be withdrawn if content is found to be misleading or false.
Legal compliance
The Specialist Schools Trust complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. For more information please go to the Information Commissioners website at
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=34
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust has an obligation to manage its personal data in line with the requirements of the Act. The Information Commissioner is notified of all of the Trust’s processing of personal data and this information can be found on the public register that is maintained by the Information Commissioner.
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust complies with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. For more information please go to the Information Commissioners website at
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=33
All projects of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust that are DfES funding are affected by the Act. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is a third party to the DfES.
If in doubt
If the editorial team of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is in doubt about a particular piece of content it will either be rejected or edited, or the opinion of the appropriate member of management will be sought. If the appropriate representative decided the comment is publishable, the content will be published.
Changes to the editorial policy
We may change our editorial policy from time to time. If it does change in any way then we will replace this page with the new version. You may wish to review this page to ensure you are up to date with what personal information we collect and why.
Comments or feedback
Should you have other questions or concerns about these editorial policies, please email
webeditor@ssatrust.org.uk.
Web Editor
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
