Schools, Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) (the government department which deals with education) all hold information on pupils in order to run the education system, and in doing so have to follow the Data Protection Act 1998. This means, among other things, that the data held about pupils must only be used for the specific purposes allowed by law. We are therefore writing to tell you about the types of data held, why that data is held and to whom it may be passed on.

The SCHOOL holds information on pupils in order to support their teaching and learning, to monitor and report on their progress, to provide appropriate pastoral care, and to assess how well the school as whole is doing. This information includes contact details, National Curriculum assessment results, attendance information, characteristics such as ethnic group, special educational needs and any relevant medical information.

From time to time we are required to pass on some of this data to the LEA, to another school to which the pupil is transferring, to the DfES and to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) which is responsible for the National Curriculum and associated assessment arrangements. In very specific circumstances the school has a legal responsibility to pass on information to child care agencies and /or the police.

The LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY uses information about pupils to carry out specific functions for which it is responsible, such as the assessment of any special educational need the pupil may have. The LEA may also, when required, share relevant limited information with partner agencies who have legal responsibilities to provide services or statutory functions. It also uses the information to derive statistics to inform decisions on (for example) the funding of schools, and to assess the performance of schools and set targets with them. The statistics are used in such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them.

The QUALIFICATIONS AND CURRICULUM AUTHORITY uses information about pupils to administer the National Curriculum tests and assessments for Key Stages 1 to 3. The results of these are passed on to the DfES in order for it to compile statistics on trends and patterns in levels of achievement. The QCA uses the information to evaluate the effectiveness of the National curriculum and the associated assessment arrangements, and to ensure that these are continually improved.

The DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION uses information about pupils for statistical purposes, to evaluate and develop educational policy and to monitor the performance of the education service as a whole. The statistics (including those based on information provided by the QCA) are used in such a way that individual pupils cannot be identified from them. The DfE will feed back to LEAs and schools information about their pupils where they are lacking this information because it was not passed on by a former school. On occasion, information may be shared with other government departments or agencies strictly for statistical or research purposes only.

Pupils, as data subjects, have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including a general right of access to personal data held on them, with parents exercising this right on their behalf if they are too young to do so themselves. If you wish to see the personal data held about your child, then please contact the relevant organisation in writing:

• Smithy Bridge Primary School, Bridgenorth Drive, Littleborough, Lancs OL15 0DY

• Rochdale LEA Data Protection Officer, E Government and IT Services,
   Floor 12, Municipal Offices, Smith St, Rochdale Lancs OL16 1YD

• QCA Data Protection Officer, QCA, 83 Piccadilly, London W1J 8QA

• DfES Data Protection officer, Caxton House, Tothill St., London SW1H 9NA