When conversations turn to data protection in schools and colleges, one word tends to appear more than any other: consent. For many educators, consent can feel like the default answer to any question involving personal data. Yet one of the most surprising aspects of data protection law is that consent is often not the most […]
Not so long ago, a teacher’s biggest technology concern was whether the interactive whiteboard would cooperate before Period 1. Today, we’re juggling AI-powered learning platforms, educational apps, social media, personalised learning algorithms, digital portfolios, and enough login credentials to make a cybersecurity expert break into a cold sweat. It’s exciting. It’s innovative. It’s transformative. It’s […]
Picture the scene: you’re juggling emails, safeguarding logs, and the eternal mystery of the staffroom milk, when someone appears at reception. It’s not Ofsted. It’s not a parent. It’s a police officer with a calm but direct request: “We’d like to see the CCTV from Tuesday afternoon. Also, we need some information about one of […]
Walk into any staffroom and you’ll find no shortage of conversations about pupils, lesson planning, or whether the photocopier is plotting against humanity. But lately, one topic has been surfacing with a frequency that rivals debates over whose turn it is to make tea: data sharing. A teacher might quietly lean over and ask, “Can […]
If you’ve ever hesitated before hitting “send” on an email about a student concern, you’re not alone. For educators, the tension between safeguarding responsibilities and privacy rights, especially under GDPR, is a daily challenge. We want to protect our pupils, but we also need to protect their personal data. So how do we walk that […]
It’s a Tuesday morning and the Year 8 maths teacher bursts into the staffroom, laptop clutched to her chest. “I think I’ve just emailed the wrong attachment to a parent,” she says, eyes wide. For most people outside education, this might sound like a small blip. But for those working in schools, it’s the sort […]
We’ve Rebranded! Introducing the New Look of GDPR Sentry. We’re excited to unveil the refreshed brand identity of GDPR Sentry, including our new logo, designed to reflect our commitment to clarity, trust, and uncompromising data protection. While our look has evolved, our purpose remains the same: helping schools, trusts, and education providers stay compliant, confident, […]
Educators often hear the terms information management and information security tossed around like interchangeable buzzwords. Spoiler alert: they’re not the same. Information management is about how data is handled, stored, and shared responsibly; information security is about keeping that data safe from prying eyes and malicious actors. But here’s the kicker – you can’t have […]
Following on from our post around lawful basis in September, let’s dive in with a deeper look at legitimate interests. You’re sitting at your desk, reviewing your school’s privacy notice, and there it is again: “We process personal data where necessary for our legitimate interests.” It’s a phrase you’ve seen in countless templates, DPIAs, […]