You are in: School Admin » School Office & Admin » Data Protection & Freedom of Information

 

Data Protection Guidance

Data Protection Checking Sheet - Suggested amendments to the Pupil Data Checking Sheet

Data Security new

Security of Confidential / Personal Data - Electronic and Paper

It is critical that schools consider the safety of confidential / personal data removed from a school site (electronic and paper).  School IT Systems Support are preparing a set of guidance documents for schools to use to encrypt confidential / personal data on computer devices that are taken off school premises.  At this stage we are not in a position to offer guidance about the need or otherwise to encrypt computers and file servers which remain securely on a school site, however it is under investigation.

If you are considering applying this method of security to any computer devices in your school which you think may be taken off-site:

  • data encryption must not be attempted on any file servers or computer devices configured as RM Community Connect 3 or 4 workstations;
  • we suggest you wait until SITSS has completed the guidance documents, which will be published on HertsGrid;
  • storage devices such USB sticks are best encrypted in their entirety;
  • staff laptops that hold personal data should have an encrypted ‘container’ created where all sensitive data should be stored;
  • existing SIMS ‘master’ PCs should not be encrypted at this stage.  SITSS are considering the feasibility of encrypting the whole of the hard drive on all new SIMS ‘master’ computers.  We are also investigating the possibility of encrypting existing, older SIMS ‘master’ PCs;
  • backup media must be kept secure at all times.

Warning – keep your encryption password in a safe place.  Access to encrypted drives and ‘containers’ is controlled by password - should you loose it you will NOT be able to access your data!

Download and print the above information:

Fair Processing Guidance (Pupil Census)

Fair Processing 2008/2009 Documents for Schools

Freedom of Information Act 2000 & Document Retention

Guidance in responding to requests for information under the 'Freedom of Information' new
Retention Guidelines for Schools
Records Management Toolkit for Schools
Freedom of Information Act 2000: Starter Guide for Schools
Freedom of Information Act 2000: Introduction for Schools

Publication Schemes

Schedule for publication schemes:
Guidance letter on Publication Schemes:
Model publication scheme for schools with Nursery aged pupils:
Model publication scheme for schools with no Secondary aged pupils:
Model publication scheme for schools with Secondary aged pupils:
Explanatory Notes for the Model Publication Scheme for Schools:
Explanatory Notes for the Model Publication Scheme for Maintained Nursery Schools


Fair Processing Guidance (School Workforce Census)

It is essential that all schools issue both of the attached letters to all staff before the end of the Summer term. For schools buying into the Herts HR (HCC) contracts service all new staff with a start date of 01.09.2008 or later will be issued with these letters by our HR Transactions team when contracts are issued. For staff already in place prior to 01.09.2008 and those in schools who do not buy into the Herts HR contracts service it is the responsibility of the school to issue both the attached forms. If you are in any doubt as to whether a member of your staff has been issued with these forms then we would advise you to issue them with the notice.

If it becomes necessary to reissue the Fair Processing Notice a bulliten item will be sent to inform schools that they need to be reissued. The requirement will be for the school to reissue these forms to all current staff and new staff will receive the revised copy with their contract if your school buys into the Herts HR contracts service.

Cover Letter
Fair Processing Notice updated