The Online Astronomy Society Academy takes safeguarding very seriously. We are very aware of the importance of security.
While an education is important as indeed ensuring our students (be they individual or from a school) have access to stimulating material it is also essential to ensure their safety online. In line with this.
Once enrollment has taken place we will ask for the students first name, last name, an email address. and postal address Rest assured these details are for our use only and will under no circumstances be shared with 3rd parties. Postal address is simply to send material out to either the pupil or the school. No other reason.
Our Virtual Learning Environment
While it is the nature of our system that we need to use First and last names in the profile usernames only use a student number. For example r20122017. This number will only mean anything to use no one else. There are NO forums in our Virtual Learning Environment and nowhere for interaction. We also add ALL our students and staff. This way we know and control who uses it and has access. Although we do use standard passwords, students are required to change these, further securing their safety.
the forum
As with the Virtual Learning Environment, again only the student number is used to add to the forum. No names used. The number again, r20122017 only makes sense to the OASA teaching team. Again for schools, if numbers permit they are added to their own private boards away from main population if required. We would also likely use something in the name to ID the school the student is from. Again this would not be identifiable to any other than us, the student, and the customer.
The students
Many of our students range from the Home Education background or are mature students. Clearly, while all tutors have recent DBS checks in place it is not feasible to check every student. However any unsolicited emails please let either the tutor, other management know immediately so it can be dealt with. It goes without saying though we have NEVER had any issues here as our students pay a lot of money to study and pass their exams with us. It is seen as gross misconduct and liable to immediate expulsion from the academy program for any student who behaves in this way
Bullying
Bullying sadly is also becoming rife with regards to social media. Again as an online academy we have yet to meet it. But trolling within our forums will not be permitted. IF there is a concern every student has an assigned tutor to assist failing that speak to the CEO, who despite the title is VERY approachable and can be reached on info@onlineastronomycourses.co.uk
The tutors
tutors are all experienced, passionate, and expert in their field. All are experienced teachers, either for us and or work for their own schools. All have enhanced DBS checks in place.
We hope our policies satisfy you, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.