Best Practice Update

 A man's hand, seen from the side, reaches forward with his index finger extended, seemingly to touch a floating, transparent button with the word "COMPLAINTS" on it. Above the button, in large white text, are the words "Data Rights" and "vs General." The background is a blurry, dark office setting with faint hexagonal shapes overlaid on it. In the bottom right corner is a logo for "Data Protection Officer."

Complaints vs. Data Rights: A Guide

With the recent Data Use and Access Act, organisations must now be more precise than ever about how they handle data rights concerns; the complaints process for data rights is clarified and formalised. This article discusses best practice around which complaints process to use when you receive a complaint.

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 A vibrant, graphic image with a deep blue background announces "POLICY UPDATES" in large, white lettering. Below this, smaller text reads: "Our latest document and policy updates are now available!"  To the right, a list under the heading "New documents:" highlights two items:  Data Rights Complaints Process  Subject Access Request Clarification Template  A prominent 3D icon in the center shows a large magnifying glass with an orange handle and a blue head, focusing on a white and blue shield. The shield has an orange checkmark in its center. The bottom right corner features a logo for "DATA PROTECTION EDUCATION".

September 2025 Policy and Document Updates

We've updated and added some new policies, including the Data Protection Policy, Model Redaction Guidelines, Data Rights Complaints Process, Freedom of Information Policy, SAR Procedure Template, SAR Response Template, Subject Access Request Clarification Template.  This article shows an amendments made to the documents.

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 A blue graphic with three children peering over a dark blue banner. The banner has white text that reads "Back to School Basics: Data Protection & Cyber Security." To the left of the text is a stack of school books with a red apple on top. To the right is a laptop displaying a logo with the text "Data Protection Education."

Back to School Basics for Data Protection and Cyber Security Compliance

As schools begin to welcome back students, staff and new joiners, the focus is on the new academic year: curriculum planning, safeguarding and operational logistics.  An equally critical and statutory area that demands attention is data protection and cyber security compliance.  Adhering to data protection law isn't just about avoiding fines; it's about protecting sensitive personal data of children, their families and staff.

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 A detailed flowchart titled "Accountability Framework" showing how the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) framework and DfE (Department for Education) Digital Standard Trackers align. The central hub is "Accountability Framework" with ten radiating branches, each representing a key area: Leadership & Oversight, Risk Management, Policies & Procedures, Individual Rights, Response & Enforcement, Monitoring Verification & Reporting, Transparency, Records Management & Security, Contracts & Data Sharing, and Training & Awareness. Each branch connects to a box labeled "DfE Digital Standard Trackers," with several icons and checklist boxes underneath. The bottom of the image lists various tools and resources, including "Best Practice Library," "Retention Schedule," "Phishing simulations," "Risk Register," and "Accountability Tracker," which are all linked to the main framework. The overall image illustrates a comprehensive system for achieving and tracking data protection compliance in an educational setting.

Building a Secure School: Using the ICO Accountability Framework to Meet DfE Digital Standards

The ICO Accountability Framework is a crucial tool for any organisation handling personal data, providing a structured approach to data protection compliance. When applied to the Department for Education (DfE) Digital Standards, it becomes a powerful mechanism for schools and trusts to ensure their technology and data practices are not only efficient but also legally compliant and secure.

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 A diverse group of smiling children, framed within a large, brightly colored, rainbow-hued shield held by two hands at the bottom. The shield appears to shimmer with light. There are seven children visible within the shield, all looking directly at the viewer with happy expressions. The background is a soft, light blue.

Safeguarding Smiles & Social Media!

As the academic year draws to a close, schools eagerly prepare to celebrate the achievements and fond memories of their students with end of year events. Sports days, graduation ceremonies, academic achievements, leavers events - these occasions are a highlight for pupils, staff and parents and sharing on social  media often seems like the obvious way to share that information and celebration.

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  1. The Data Protection Lead/Champion Role
  2. Changes to the Academy Trust Handbook 2025
  3. Social Media Day 2025
  4. How Ofsted looks at AI during inspection and regulation
  5. New DfE AI Guidance
  6. Preschool Employment tribunal for the use of WhatsApp
  7. Data Breaches 2025 Report Highlights
  8. Not everyone needs access: The Key to Protecting Sensitive Data
  9. West Lothian Schools in Cyber Attack
  10. National Honesty Day: Transparency
  11. FOI Request - BBC News
  12. Social Media and Marketing Guidelines and Training
  13. New Governor Resources
  14. Does stress lead to more data breaches?
  15. World Backup Day
  16. Are teachers using AI? 83% say its a time-saver
  17. DfE Digital Standards - narrowing the digital divide
  18. Arbor AI - On By Default
  19. DfE Guidance: Choosing a new MIS
  20. Sharing photos on World Book Day: Privacy considerations
  21. HCRG Care Group data breach
  22. The Importance of AI literacy and training staff
  23. How to verify visitors the right way
  24. Short Guide to AI Video
  25. Safer Internet Day, Cyber Security & Data Protection
  26. The Cyber Resilience Championship
  27. The Multiple Dimensions of Supplier Due Diligence
  28. New Data Protection Fees
  29. School shares sensitive pupil information as part of an FOI response
  30. AI (Artificial Intelligence) Best Practice Area & Policy
  31. Blacon High School Cyber Attack
  32. WhatsApp and FOI's: ICO Warnings
  33. New AI Guidance from the DfE
  34. What the proposed Government legislative proposal around cyber crime means
  35. DPE Webinar Schedule
  36. ICO report on AI tools in recruitment
  37. DfE update to record keeping and management
  38. Update to data sharing for school immunisation programmes
  39. Early Years Settings and Cyber Security
  40. SLT Digital Lead Profile
  41. The role of governors in cyber security and data protection
  42. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  43. Contracts Register
  44. DfE Digital Standards Autumn Update
  45. The importance of knowing how to access your CCTV footage!
  46. Cyber Attack on a Special School
  47. Stealing children's data
  48. What is dark data? (and why does it matter?)
  49. Ofqual highlights the value of cyber security training in schools
  50. Searching for data when you receive a Subject Access Request
  51. Fylde Coast Academy Trust Cyber Attack This Week
  52. Calling all IT leads in schools and mult academy trusts!
  53. Ransomware cyber attack on a school in Bromley
  54. Join Our Social Media Family!
  55. School hit by Cyber Attack
  56. Cyber Security Best Practice Area
  57. DfE Digital Standards for Schools and Colleges Tracker
  58. New Policies, Documents, Letters and Posters page
  59. Schools and Trusts Best Practice Area
  60. The DPE Retention Schedule
  61. Making the Rounds Update (now includes reporting)
  62. ESFA Cyber Essentials Requirement for Colleges from 2024/2025
  63. ICO Reprimands a School
  64. Navigating Privacy at the End of Term , Special Occasions and End of Year
  65. Out of date technology
  66. Data Retention and the Pupil File
  67. Have you assigned your SLT Digital Lead yet?
  68. Getting Started with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  69. Cyber attack on a school during half term
  70. Update to the DfE Digital Cyber Security Standards for Schools and Colleges (May 2024)
  71. The rise of cyber attacks in schools are causing pupils to miss classes
  72. ICO: Learning from the mistakes of others report
  73. Cyber attack on a Trust; the aftermath
  74. School Focus: The Vale Federation | Aylesbury
  75. DfE Dealing with Subject Access Requests (SARs) Guidance
  76. Update to the Guidance on Information Sharing from the DfE
  77. FOI Requests generated by Artificial Intelligence
  78. Social Media Best Practice Area
  79. Lettings Best Practice Area
  80. Appropriate filtering and monitoring definitions
  81. MFA Bombing - What is it?
  82. Protecting your Social Media Accounts
  83. Why we recommend using checklists
  84. Product Focus on Checklists : Initial Trust Plan
  85. Product Focus on Checklists : End of Term Checklist
  86. Product Focus on Checklists : Information and Cyber Security
  87. Product Focus on Checklists : Social Media
  88. Product Focus on Checklists : Lettings
  89. Product Focus on Checklists : Record of Processing
  90. Milk Island: The secret location that allows children to view restricted content on Google Maps
  91. Why Data Should Stay Put: Benefits of Keeping Data in Its Original System
  92. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Retention and Destruction
  93. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Migration
  94. Product Focus on Checklists : Biometrics
  95. Product Focus on Checklists : Supplier Due Diligence
  96. Free Cyber help, advice and training with the Cyber Resilience Centres
  97. The Perils of Paper: The Printing Vulnerability
  98. Product Focus on Checklists : FOI
  99. Product Focus on Checklists : Governors and Data
  100. Product Focus on Checklists : DPIA
  101. Product Focus on Checklists : Site Moves
  102. Product Focus on Checklists : Data Breaches
  103. Product Focus on Checklists : Subject Access Requests
  104. Product Focus on Checklists : Bring your own device
  105. Product Focus on Checklists : Working out of school/offsite
  106. Cyber Attack on a School
  107. Product Focus on Checklists : Redaction
  108. Why Due Diligence is Important: Fake apps
  109. Product Focus on Checklists : CCTV
  110. Product Focus on Checklists : Clear desk
  111. Product Focus on Checklists : Commitment to compliance
  112. Product Focus on Checklists : Photos and video
  113. Product Focus on Checklists : Passwords
  114. Product Focus on Checklists : Information Classification
  115. Free cyber training for staff
  116. DfE Digital Standards Update
  117. The Mother of all Breaches
  118. International Data Transfers (part 1): Navigating Cross-Border Data Transfers: Understanding EU SCCs, UK Addendum, and UK IDTA
  119. ClassCharts Possible Data Breach
  120. Where is your data stored?
  121. IAPP looks at AI privacy risks
  122. If you suspect a financial scam .....
  123. School Focus: St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School | Brighton
  124. Guardians of Privacy: 16. Social Media Checklist
  125. Guardians of Privacy: 15. Navigating Social Media in Educational Settings Summary
  126. Guardians of Privacy: 14. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
  127. Guardians of Privacy: 13. Social Media, Copyright and Intellectual Property
  128. Guardians of Privacy: 12. Social Media and Going Viral
  129. Guardians of Privacy: 11. Staff Social Media Accounts
  130. Guardians of Privacy: 10. Social Media and Cookies
  131. Guardians of Privacy: 9. Social Media and Morality
  132. New Resources for Schools from the ICO
  133. Guardians of Privacy: 8. Social Media Policies
  134. Guardians of Privacy: 7. Social Media Data Retention
  135. Guardians of Privacy: 6. Posting Safely
  136. Guardians of Privacy: 5. Social Media and Consent
  137. Guardians of Privacy: 4. Social Media Access Control
  138. Guardians of Privacy: 3. Social Media Channels
  139. Guardians of Privacy: 2. Law and Regulations
  140. Guardians of Privacy: 1. Social media, privacy and children
  141. The ICO reprimands a Multi Academy Trust
  142. KCSIE: Filtering, Monitoring and Privacy
  143. Guidance for the use of school email and applying email retention in schools
  144. Data Protection Tips for Early Years Settings
  145. Children's Privacy around the world is a puzzle
  146. Trust Initial Plan Checklist Update
  147. Records Management Best Practice Update
  148. Governors and Data Best Practice Area Update
  149. What do I need to redact?
  150. Trust Initial Plan for Data Protection Compliance (for Multi Academy Trusts)
  151. Google for Education Resources: Helping IT Admins meet DfE digital and technology standards
  152. Lettings Best Practice and Guidance
  153. Considerations when migrating to a new MIS
  154. Public bodies and sensitive data
  155. Get a DPE Badge for your website!
  156. ICO: 10 Step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
  157. Help after a Cyber Attack/Incident
  158. Data Protection and Cyber Security (Inset Day) Training Ideas
  159. How KCSIE is linked to Cyber Strategy
  160. Handling Freedom of Information Requests the right way
  161. Where's Harry the Hacker?
  162. The ICO Reprimands a school
  163. Redaction Guidelines Updated
  164. Using WhatsApp in Schools
  165. How to contact us for support, subject access requests, data breaches and FOI's
  166. FOI: Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
  167. FOI: Henry Jackson Society
  168. FOI: Vaccination Justifications
  169. How the Record of Processing Can Help You
  170. What does a Data Protection Officer Do?
  171. Blog: Best Practice on the Retention of Child Protection Information
  172. Carrying out Supplier Due Diligence
  173. Email and retention periods
  174. How Long Should You Keep Personal Data For?
  175. Sharing this year’s Nativity play online
  176. B&H FoI: Racist/religious incidents/bullying
  177. Protocol for Setting Up and Delivery of Online Teaching and Learning
  178. Class Dojo International Data Sharing
  179. Model Publication Scheme: Amendments, Improvements and Updates
  180. Transparency
  181. Parents and students covertly recording conversations
  182. SAR? ER? FOI?
  183. Research projects and GDPR
  184. Secure file transfer of files using Royal Mail
  185. Emergency contacts and consent
  186. Key elements of a successful DPIA
  187. FOI Publication Schemes
  188. Best Practice for Managing Photos and Video
  189. New Drip Feeds: Recognise and Respond to Subject Access Request
  190. When to contact the Data Protection Officer?
  191. National child measurement programme
  192. Make sure DPE is your registered DPO with the ICO
  193. Headteacher fined for breach of data protection legislation
  194. Acceptable Use Policy

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