Data Protection

Ellwood Primary School

Data Protection

Schools, local authorities and the Department for Children, Schools and Families all hold information on pupils in order to run the education system, and in doing so have to follow the Data Protection Act 2018. The data held about pupils must only be used for specific purposes allowed by law. The DPO is Mrs Milford (Head Teacher) and Mrs Pole (Administrator).

Ellwood Primary School holds information on all pupils. The reason for this is to be able to support their learning by identifying what the pupils can do and what they need to do next in their learning. This helps the class teachers to teach appropriate lessons. We also use this information and data to monitor and report on their progress and attainment. This data could be reported to other teachers within the school, Head Teacher, SENco, Parents, other professionals such as: ATS (advisory teaching service), EP (Educational psychologists), to another school to which the pupil is transferring, Local Authority, Ofsted, Social Care, DFE and to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) which is responsible for the National Curriculum and associated assessment arrangements. The data information is also used to assess how the school is, comparing to other schools nationally and locally. This information includes contact details, National Curriculum assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, special educational needs and any relevant medical information. It could also be used to provide appropriate pastoral care such as; FSW (Family support worker), Toucan Play therapy, TIC (Teens in crisis).

The Local Authority uses information about pupils to carry out specific functions for which it is responsible, such as the assessment of any special educational needs the pupil may have e.g. EHCP (educational health care plan). It also helps the LA determine funding for schools and the necessary support pupils may need.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority uses information about pupils to administer the National Curriculum tests and assessments for Key Stages 1 and 2. The results of these are passed on to the Department for Education in order for it to compile statistics on trends and patterns in levels of achievement. The QCA uses the information to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Curriculum and the associated assessment arrangements, and to ensure that these are continually improved.

The Department for Education uses information about pupils for statistical purposes, to evaluate and develop education policy and to monitor the performance of the education service as a whole. The statistics (including those based on information provided by the QCA) are used in such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them. Sometimes information may be shared with other Government departments or agencies strictly for statistical or research purposes only.

On occasions some of this data and information is passed on to The West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership (WGSP). The West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership (WGSP) is in receipt of summarised aggregated data for statistical analysis purposes. The WGSP is a local partnership of 36 primary schools in the Forest of Dean. Ellwood Primary School is part of the West Gloucestershire Schools Partnership and regularly attends events and training delivered by them. Their role is to provide support, training and collaborative working between the local network of primary schools.

Pupils have certain rights under the Data Protection Act 2018, including a general right of access to personal data held on them, with parents exercising this right on their behalf if they are too young to do so themselves. If you wish to access the personal data held about your child, please contact the relevant organisation in writing:

  • In the first instance this would be the school, Ellwood Primary School;

     

    For any other enquiries you may need to contact one of the following:-

  • The LA’s Data Protection Officer at Shire Hall, Westgate Street, GLOUCESTER, GL1 2TP;

  • The QCA’s Data Protection Officer at QCA, 83 Piccadilly, LONDON, W1J 8QA;

  • The Department for Education Data Protection Officer at The Department for Education, Caxton House, Tothill Street, LONDON, SW1H 9NA.