Schools put pupils’ data at risk, finds new survey

Published on 04/09/2012 00:00

SCHOOLS could be putting pupils’ personal data at risk by failing to store it securely, according to new research.

The study suggests that schools are increasingly collecting students’ biometric data, such as fingerprints, but do not always think about the security issues surrounding this.

It found that almost half of schools have regulations on personal data security that fall below a recommended minimum level. It has been suggested that up to four in ten secondary schools use fingerprinting or face-scanning systems, allowing pupils to check out library books and pay for lunch.

But a paper due to be presented at the British Educational Research Association’s conference in Manchester warns that schools often do not have clear policies on how personal information should be stored.

The researchers analysed the results of about 1,000 schools that belong to the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) – an internet service provider which has created a tool that allows schools to review their online safety measures. They found almost half of schools (48 per cent) rated themselves as having “no agreed personal data policy.”