Data protection
Almost 1,000 schools were reported to the Information Commissioners Office between 2014 and 2016 because of issues with data protection. These referrals resulted in one criminal prosecution, with the data controller being required to act in 147 cases. A total of 145 schools were issued with compliance advice.
The figures come from Freedom of Information requests by the UK Safer Internet Centre. The problems are arising, it says, because schools are using more and more cloud services and pupils and staff are using a wider variety of devices. It means that “there becomes an increasing potential for data to be lost, destroyed or accessed outside of the school environment”.
Professor Andy Phippin from Plymouth University, who works with the UK Safer Internet Centre, said “The increased volume of data collected on young people presents significant data protection risks. Without awareness of data protection responsibilities, effective technical infrastructure, and lack of staff and governor training, all of this data may be placed at risk and potentially impact on young people’s privacy, development and future lives.”
The UK Safer Internet Centre, alongside SWGfL, has launched 360data, a tool aimed at helping schools to keep on top of their data protection duties. Visit: www.saferinternet.org.uk
Coming to America
Sixty-six UK state school students, many of whom come from lower income families, have won places and funding to attend some of America’s most prestigious universities.
It is part of the Sutton Trust’s US Programme and 19 of the 66 will be enrolling at Ivy League institutions. Furthermore, 83 per cent of the 66 will be the first in their families to attend university. Across their four years of study, the 66 students will access approximately $17 million through university funding and scholarships.
The programme, which is delivered in partnership with the US-UK Fulbright Commission, allows participants to spend a week at either Yale University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the summer. They also receive intensive support with things like applications and admissions tests. This summer, 1,200 young people have been selected to take part. Visit: http://us.suttontrust.com/
Thank a Teacher
The skill, passion and dedication of teachers across the country were celebrated last week as part of the Pearson Teaching Awards Thank a Teacher Day. Thousands of nominations were received for this year’s awards and 52 finalists were named on Friday (June 17), sparking celebrations in schools across the country as Sliver Teaching Awards were handed out.
Categories include headteacher of the year, teacher of the year, new teacher of the year, lifetime achievement and excellence in SEN education. The finalists are due to gather on October 23 in London’s Guildhall when the 10 winners will be unveiled. A list of the finalists can be found at http://pearsonteachingawards.com/