Abbs Cross School, Commitment to Opportunity and Excellence
Policy Statements
Click the link above to read the school's anti bullying policy
Fair Processing of DataThis notice gives additional information to the notice sent to you and provides further information about the processing of pupils’ personal data by the other organisations mentioned in that notice.
Abbs Cross School and Arts College processes personal data about its pupils and is a “data controller” in respect of this for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. It processes this data to:
• support its pupils’ teaching and learning;
• monitor and report on their progress;
• provide appropriate pastoral care,
and
• assess how well the school as a whole is doing
This information includes contact details, national curriculum assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, special educational needs and any relevant medical information.
From time to time the school is required to pass on some of this data to local authorities, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), (which also has responsibility for ContactPoint * (see below) and to agencies that are prescribed by law, such as the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), Ofsted, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Department of Health (DH), Primary Care Trusts (PCT), [and organisations that require access to data in the Learner Registration System as part of the MIAP (Managing Information Across Partners) programme]. All these are data controllers for the information they receive. The data must only be used for specific purposes allowed by law.
The Children Act 2004 Information Database (England) Regulations 2007 requires maintained schools to supply basic contact information to ContactPoint.
The Local Authority (LA) uses information about children for whom it provides services to carry out specific functions for which it is responsible, such as the assessment of any special educational needs the child may have. It also uses the information to derive statistics to inform decisions on (for example) the funding of schools, and to assess the performance of schools and set targets for them. The statistics are used in such a way that individual children cannot be identified from them. The LA is also required to maintain the accuracy of the information held on ContactPoint about children and young people in their area.
http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=640 Data Protection Officer, Scimitar House, 23 Eastern Road, Romford, RM1 3NH
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) uses information about pupils to administer the national curriculum assessments portfolio throughout Key Stages 1 to 3. This includes both assessments required by statute and those that are optional. The results of these are passed on to DCSF 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.
www.qca.org.uk Data Protection Officer, QCA, 83 Piccadilly, LONDON, W1J 8QA;
Ofsted uses information about the progress and performance of pupils to help inspectors evaluate the work of schools, to assist schools in their self-evaluation, and as part of Ofsted’s assessment of the effectiveness of education initiatives and policy. Ofsted also uses information about the views of children and young people, to inform children’s services inspections in local authority areas. Inspection reports do not identify individual pupils.
www.ofsted.gov.uk Data Protection Officer, Alexandra House, 33 Kingsway, London WC2B 6SE;
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) uses information about pupils for statistical purposes, to evaluate and develop education policy and 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. On occasion information may be shared with other Government departments or agencies strictly for statistical or research purposes only. The LSC or its partners may wish to contact learners from time to time about courses, or learning opportunities relevant to them.
www.lsc.gov.uk Data Protection Officer ,Cheylesmore House, Quinton Road, Coventry, Warwickshire CV1 2WT
Learner Registration System (LRS). The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) also administers the Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) Programme on behalf of the MIAP membership. More information about MIAP membership can be found at www.miap.gov.uk
LSC is responsible for the development and operation of the Learner Registration Service (LRS) and also the creation of a learner record.
For pupils of 14 years and over and for pupils registering for post-14 qualifications, the school will pass on certain identification information to the LRS to create and maintain a unique learner number (ULN), and achievement information to the MIAP Service to create and maintain a learner record.
The Learner Registration Service will enable organisations allowed by law and detailed at www.miap.gov.uk to access the ULN and contain it in their systems, thereby saving individuals having to supply the same information repeatedly to different organisations.
Details of how an individual may opt-out of sharing achievement data in their learner record with those organisations detailed at www.miap.gov.uk, can also be found at www.miap.gov.uk
www.miap.gov.uk Data Protection Officer ,Cheylesmore House, Quinton Road, Coventry, Warwickshire CV1 2WT
Primary Care Trusts (PCT) use information about pupils for research and statistical purposes, to monitor the performance of local health services and to evaluate and develop them. The statistics are used in such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them. Information on the height and weight of individual pupils may however be provided to the child and its parents and this will require the PCTs to maintain details of pupils’ names for this purpose for a period designated by the Department of Health following the weighing and measuring process. PCTs may also provide individual schools and LAs with aggregate information on pupils’ height and weight.
http://www.nhs.uk/England/AuthoritiesTrusts/Pct/Default.aspx
The Department of Health (DH) uses aggregate information (at school year group level) about pupils' height and weight for research and statistical purposes, to inform, influence and improve health policy and to monitor the performance of the health service as a whole. The DH will base performance management discussions with Strategic Health Authorities on aggregate information about pupils attending schools in the PCT areas to help focus local resources and deliver the Public Service Agreement target to halt the year on year rise in obesity among children under 11 by 2010, in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole. The Department of Health will also provide aggregate PCT level data to the Healthcare Commission for performance assessment of the health service. www.dh.gov.uk Data Protection Officer at Skipton House 80 London Road London SE1 6LH;
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) uses information about pupils for research and statistical purposes, to inform, influence and improve education policy and to monitor the performance of the education service as a whole. The DCSF will feed back to LAs and schools information about their pupils for a variety of purposes that will include data checking exercises, use in self-evaluation analyses and where information is missing because it was not passed on by a former school.
DCSF, with the participation of LAs, operates the database known as ContactPoint. ContactPoint is an online directory available to authorised staff who need it to do their jobs. It is designed to allow practitioners to find out who else is working with the child or young person, making it easier to deliver more coordinated support. Schools are under a statutory duty to pass onto ContactPoint certain information. This consists of basic information about the child or young person, the contact details of the school and the contact address and telephone numbers for the parents or carers,/ with parental responsibility, of the child or young person.
The DCSF will also provide Ofsted with pupil data for use in school inspection. Where relevant, pupil information may also be shared with post 16 learning institutions to minimise the administrative burden on application for a course and to aid the preparation of learning plans.
Pupil information may be matched with other data sources that the Department holds in order to model and monitor pupils’ educational progression; and to provide comprehensive information back to LAs and learning institutions to support their day to day business. The DCSF may also use contact details from these sources to obtain samples for statistical surveys: these surveys may be carried out by research agencies working under contract to the Department and participation in such surveys is usually voluntary. The Department may also match data from these sources to data obtained from statistical surveys.
Pupil data may also be shared with other Government Departments and Agencies (including the Office for National Statistics) for statistical or research purposes only. In all these cases the matching will require that individualised data is used in the processing operation, but that data will not be processed in such a way that it supports measures or decisions relating to particular individuals or identifies individuals in any results. This data sharing will be approved and controlled by the Department’s Chief Statistician.
The DCSF may also disclose individual pupil information to independent researchers into the educational achievements of pupils who have a legitimate need for it for their research, but each case will be determined on its merits and subject to the approval of the Department’s Chief Statistician.
www.DCSF.gov.uk Data Protection Officer, DCSF, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, LONDON, SW1P 3BT
Pupils, as data subjects, have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including a general right of access to personal data held on them. If you wish to access your personal data, or you wish your parents to do so on your behalf, then please contact the relevant organisation in writing:
For pupils of 13 years and over, the school is legally required to pass on certain information to Connexions services providers on request. Connexions is the government's support service for all young people aged 13 to 19 in England. This information includes the name and address of the pupil and parent, and any further information relevant to the Connexions services’ role. However parents, or the pupils themselves if aged 16 or over, can ask that no information beyond name and address (for pupil and parent) be passed on to Connexions. If as a parent, or as a pupil aged 16 or over, you wish to opt-out and do not want Connexions to receive from the school information beyond name and address, then please contact the school
The LA and DCSF may supply to Connexions services providers information which they have about children, but will not pass on any information they have received from the school if parents (or the children themselves if aged 16 or over) have notified the school that Connexions should not receive information beyond name and address.
Religious Education
The scheme of work for Religious Education followed by the school is broadly in accordance with the local authority syllabus for R.E. Parents have a right to withdraw their children from religious worship or instruction or from both. Any parent wishing to make such an arrangement is asked to notify the Head Master in writing.
Complaints
If parents are unhappy about the curriculum provision for their children, the matter should be dealt with, in the first instance, by informal discussion with the Head Master. It is only when matters cannot be thus resolved that it is considered by the Governing Body as a formal complaint.
Sex Education
The Governors appreciate that sex education may relate to many areas of the curriculum of the school. Discussion of various aspects of this wide topic may be seen as obviously arising in such subjects as Biology, Religious Education, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education.
It is recognised that there are sensitive and controversial areas of education. Sex Education is part of our core curriculum and will be taught in a balanced and objective manner in a moral, family and legal context. No advice or individual counselling will be given. Full details of the Governing Body’s policy statement are available from the school upon request.
Special Educational Needs
Each individual student has the right to an education which is appropriate to his/her needs. As far as possible, therefore, it is our aim to provide learning experiences that are differentiated to take account of the needs and attainment of each student. In doing this, the school aims to minimise the difficulties that students will experience.
Full details of the Special Needs policy are available from the school upon request.
Charging and Remission
At various stages of their school career each student is able to participate in visits and undertake activities in connection with particular areas of study (geography field trips, design and technology projects and instrumental music tuition, for example). A number of recreational opportunities are also organised by school staff from time to time. Charges are made by the Governors to cover the costs of these in accordance with Department for Education and Skills guidance. Remission of some or all charges is available in certain circumstances. Full details of the Governing Body’s charging and remission policy are available from the school upon request.
Acceptable Network and Internet Use Statement for Staff and Pupils
The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s management information and business administration systems.
Internet use is a part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils. Internet access is an entitlement for pupils who show a responsible and mature approach to its use. The Internet is an essential element in 21st Century life for education, business and social interaction. The school has a duty to provide pupils with quality Internet access as part of their learning experience.
The computer system is owned by the school, and may be used by pupils to further their education and by staff to enhance their professional activities including teaching, research, administration and management. The school’s Network and Internet Access Policy has been drawn up to protect all parties – the pupils, the staff and the school.
The school reserves the right to:
- Examine or delete any files that may be held on its computer system.
- Monitor Network and Email use and Internet sites visited.
- Remove individuals from the Network and Internet, as it deems appropriate.
Staff and students requesting Network and Internet Access should sign a copy of this Acceptable Network and Internet Use statement and return it to the Head Master for approval. Parents should countersign pupil forms.
§ All network and internet activity should be appropriate to staff professional activity or the pupil's education.
§ Equipment should be respected and resources should not be wasted. You may bebilled for damage to equipment or wasting valuable resources.
§ Access should only be made via the authorised account and password, which should not be made available to any other person.
§ Activity that threatens the integrity of the school ICT systems, or activity that attacks or corrupts other systems, is forbidden.
§ Make ICT staff aware immediately of any virus threat or warning.
§ Users are responsible for all e-mail sent and for contacts made that may result in e-mail being received.
§ Use for personal financial gain, gambling, political purposes or advertising is forbidden.
§ Do not download executable, movie or sound files without permission from a member of the ICT staff or an ICT technician.
§ Do not “chat” or use “mobile ring tones” sites or SMS sites. Do not play games unless you are specifically instructed to do so by your teacher.
§ Copyright of materials must be respected.
§ Posting anonymous messages and forwarding chain letters is forbidden.
§ As e-mail can be forwarded inadvertently to the wrong person, the same professional levels of language and content should be applied as for letters or other media.
§ Use of the network to access inappropriate materials such as pornographic, racist or offensive material is forbidden. If any inappropriate material inadvertently appears you must inform a member of staff immediately.
I have read and agree to the above Acceptable Network and Internet Use Statement.
Name (Block Capitals)
Signature Form
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Mrs J Challis
ICT Development Manager