Privacy notices - Provision of education

In accordance with the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, the provision of education is the responsibility of local authorities.  Education is provided at early learning and childcare, primary and secondary levels in both mainstream and special schools.  The local authority, schools and early learning establishments process information about children and young people in order to help deliver education and care.  Education has to be flexible to fit individual needs, be tailored to 'age, ability and aptitude' and personal information is required for this purpose.  The data held by schools and educational establishment includes contact details, curriculum assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, additional support needs and any relevant medical information.  This data is required to:

• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians and promote parental engagement
• Support learning and teaching
• Monitor and report on progress and attendance
• Provide appropriate pastoral care
• Provide additional support needs and medical care 
• Evaluate and develop education policy and strategies

We need the information to allow us to enrol your child in a school. If you do not provide the necessary information your child may not be able to access education.

We need to process this personal information to fulfil our obligations under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and other legislation such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000, Child and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, The Equality Act 2010, The Education (Scotland) Act 2016, Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, The Young People’s Involvement in Education and Training (Provision of Information) (Scotland) Order 2014 and NHS/ATOS Data Sharing, The Pupils’ Educational Records (Scotland) Regulations 2003.

• Access to personal data
• Rectification of personal data
• Erasure of personal data
• Restrict processing of personal data
• Object to the processing of personal data

Find out more about your rights

Depending on the age of your child we may share information where necessary with Scottish Government and our partner agencies such as NHS, Highlife Highland, Skills Development Scotland, SQA and other bodies responsible for administering services to children and young people. This is to support statistical reporting, medical and immunisation provision, health and wellbeing, careers and examination presentations.  

Data is processed on behalf of the Council by IT systems providers and research consultants (for statistical analysis).

Highland Council may check the details provided for enrolment against records held by the Council for the purposes of administering Council Tax and Housing Benefit. This is to ensure that the pupil named on the enrolment form is allocated a place at a school in accordance with the catchment area as determined by The Highland Council. This check will also be used to validate the information held for the purposes of administering Council Tax, Housing Benefit and other entitlements.

Basic information, such as Highland Council provided Google email addresses, may be shared with educational software/App providers to enable accounts to be created for pupils as part of the Council’s use of educational software to enhance learning and teaching.

Your information will be held for 5 years after the pupil leaves education.

Your personal information is not subject to automated decision making or profiling. 

The data controller is The Highland Council

Contact our Data Protection Officer:

Data Protection Officer

Highland Council Headquarters

Glenurquhart Road

Inverness

IV3 5NX

01463 702029

dpo@highland.gov.uk

If you are unhappy with the way we have processed your personal information you can contact the Information Commissioner:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

 Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Phone 0303 123 1113

https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/​