For example, software copyright is quite a complicated issue. Licence agreements are written in legalese , and some allow you to make copies in certain circumstances, while others allow it in other circumstances, or none at all. It s clearly pointless trying to draft a detailed policy that will cover every eventuality. It makes much more sense to tell staff that no software copying is allowed, but that if someone does want something to be copied it will be done for them, in strict accordance with the licence agreement for the program concerned. The detailed version of this policy statement might state that the only school equipment to be used for copying software is the computer in room x, and then under controlled conditions.
Posters are a very useful way of getting policy statements across, to pupils as well as staff.
For example, instead of a poster which reads No software copying. This has turned the policy into a very positive affirmation of the school s ethical stance on such matters. To be school policies, they should be approved by the senior management team. This shouldn t be too difficult to achieve, given the fact that if anyone does make illegal copies of software or unattended and unguided pupils download pornography from the internet, it is the Headteacher who ultimately carries the can. It s important, though, to step back from being downright obstructive.