Entries by Tanya Taylor
“It’s Just Exams” – Until It Isn’t: Mental Health, Exam Stress and What GDPR Really Says About Sharing Student Data
It’s that time of year again. The corridors are quieter. The library’s full. Revision guides multiply like gremlins. Students are hunched over past papers, and you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve said, “Just do your best.” Exam season: the annual rite of stress, snacks, and sharp-tipped pencils. We know the drill. We also […]
“Hey Kid, Are You Even Old Enough to Be Here?” – The ICO vs. Big Social
In today’s hyperconnected world, it’s not uncommon for children to be more tech-savvy than the adults around them. But behind every cute dance video or viral meme lies a sophisticated system of data collection and recommendation algorithms, Many of which are now under scrutiny. Recently, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) launched formal investigations into […]
Cyberattacks on the Rise: What Schools Can Do to Strengthen Digital Resilience
As cyber threats escalate across all sectors, UK schools have become increasingly frequent targets. From ransomware attacks that cripple entire networks to phishing campaigns aimed at staff and suppliers, the education sector is now considered a prime target for cybercriminals. According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the volume and sophistication of attacks […]
“Decoding the Data (Use and Access) Bill: What Educators Need to Know”
Imagine you’re sat in the staffroom, half-eaten biscuit in one hand, half-finished student spreadsheet on the screen. You scroll down a list of names, notes, and numbers, some of which, to your horror, date back to the year David Cameron was still Prime Minister. You mutter to yourself, Why do we still have this data? […]
Sentry System Updates 2024
12 Months, 30+ Enhancements, and One Seriously Upgraded System – Here’s Sentry’s Year in Review Over the past year, we’ve been busy building, refining, and supercharging your system with over 30 significant improvements, each one designed to make your experience more powerful, more intuitive, and, dare we say, a little more enjoyable. Whether you’ve spotted […]
Wall Displays and Data Delays: Preparing for Inspection Without Breaching GDPR
There’s something unmistakable in the air when an inspection is on the horizon. You can feel the hum of preparation in every corridor; policies being printed, classroom displays getting a refresh, and colleagues exchanging knowing glances over the photocopier. It’s all hands-on deck, and every detail matters. But as walls are re-pinned and cupboards reorganised, […]
Privacy Goes Global: Why the ICO Has Joined the Global CAPE and, Why Educators Should Take Note
It’s not every day you hear about global privacy treaties in the staffroom. Between lesson plans, playground duties, and wondering why the photocopier only jams when you’re in a hurry, international data agreements don’t always make it onto the radar. But every now and then, something big happens that’s worth pausing for and, Global CAPE […]
New Tech, Same Responsibilities: Data Protection in the Age of AI and EdTech
You’ve probably heard it by now, EdTech is booming. From lesson-planning AI to real-time behaviour tracking, schools across the UK are embracing technology faster than ever. Whether it’s a new learning app or a full-blown Management Information System (MIS), the promise is the same: smarter classrooms, less admin, and happier teachers. But here’s the thing, […]
Data Protection vs. Information Security in Schools — Why Both Matter, and How to Get Them Right
Let’s face it, school leaders today wear a lot of hats. One minute, you’re supporting staff wellbeing; the next, you’re signing off on an EdTech contract, responding to a Subject Access Request, or checking if the new Wi-Fi rollout has encryption (whatever that means, right?). In today’s increasingly digital world, two terms often crop up: […]