This course provides senior school staff, data protection staff and heads of departments with the knowledge and tools to manage data protection responsibilities, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with legal requirements. It addresses common challenges, such as safeguarding sensitive data, managing consent, and handling disputes, while promoting a culture of trust and accountability. Delegates will gain practical solutions for managing compliance, safeguarding, subject access requests and data breaches.
This masterclass equips participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to effectively manage data protection responsibilities in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and other national legislation and policies relevant to the education sector. As schools face growing scrutiny from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and local authorities, ensuring robust compliance is critical to safeguarding sensitive data, preventing breaches, and maintaining trust.
This course addresses key areas, including managing subject access requests (SARs), handling family disputes, photo consent, and safeguarding information, ensuring participants can balance transparency and confidentiality effectively.
Participants will learn to mitigate risks from data breaches and cybersecurity threats while fostering a culture of accountability across the school. The course covers essential strategies to respond to audits, enhance online safety, and address reporting, containment, and prevention of data breaches. Practical guidance is provided to navigate real-world challenges, from handling parental disputes to protecting sensitive information.
Tailored for data protection leads, heads of departments, office managers and senior staff, this course delivers actionable insights to create secure and compliant environments. Delegates will leave equipped to manage legal obligations, enhance operational efficiency, and embed a culture of trust and compliance, ensuring schools meet the highest standards of data protection in today’s digital age.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Head and Deputy Head Teachers, SENCOs, Lead Bursar, Data Protection support, Council School support officer, Office Manager/Admin Leadership, Heads of Departments
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This masterclass will enable you to:
Understand data protection laws (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018) and their application in schools.
Learn the principles of data protection and their practical use. Handle subject access requests (SARs), family disputes, and parental access appropriately.
Navigate safeguarding information, knowing what can and cannot be shared while protecting confidentiality.
Address photo consent, parental rights, and disputes involving sensitive data. Manage data breaches, including reporting, containment, and prevention strategies.
Enhance online safety measures, promoting responsible use and securing digital environments.
Identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats, such as phishing and ransomware.
Foster a culture of compliance and accountability among all school staff.
Balance transparency and confidentiality in communications with parents and stakeholders.
FACILITATORS
Barry Moult is an Information Governance and Data Protection practitioner of many years. More recently as an independent consultant. He is a Fellow of the Information and Records Management Society and in 2020 received the Information Commissioner’s Practitioner Award for Excellence in Data Protection.
Laura Palmariello is an experienced data protection and privacy professional with IAPP CIPP/E, BCS Data Protection Practitioner, and Highfield Information Governance qualifications. She runs a UK-based consultancy offering training and consultancy services to organisations in the education sector and beyond, across the UK, EU, and Middle East. Passionate about simplifying complex topics, Laura prides herself on delivering relatable and engaging training, using visual methods to ensure clear understanding and lasting impact.
