My distinct impression is that the DPA is increasingly being used to protect
organisations and assure a strict implementation of organisational
requirements rather than protect the individual’s personal data as intended.
The school issues discussion seems to appear as a further example of that to
me.
Whilst organisational practices and procedures are a very important aspect
of assuring the security of data, that security should not compromise normal
functions, which are necessarily, ordinarily or legally required.
Perhaps these things are illustrative of individual interpretations or
uncertainties as much as anything else.
Ian W
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 12:57:21 +0100
From: Simon Howarth <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: School holidays in term time.
I am having an interesting time with my son's school about our recent
holidays. We generally go the week before May half term for all the =
obvious
reasons and getting permission is never an issue as he has exemplary
attendance otherwise.
This time however, I was asked to fill in a Lancashire County Council =
form.
On this form it asked for the destination and a UK based contact number
along with the usual address details.=20
Having a thing about advertising our absences I stated "as per school
record" for address (no issues there), but I then declined to provide
destination and contact number as I consider this excessive data.=20
Surely all they need to know is the dates he will not be in class and =
the
reason. As they have written back, they have stated that I have no legal
right to take my son out of school - well tough there, as they would =
have to
fine me in excess of =A31500 before cost wise our holiday breaks even =
(and
that's just one reason), and I am not disputing it, but it saves me =
phoning
from abroad to say he's not well(!)
They then go on to say that it is reasonable to ask for a UK contact =
number
so they can make contact if, for example, the school is closed. I =
personally
don't think this is reasonable enough. The school has our home phone and =
can
leave a message, so why on earth would the County Council require it? It
just strikes me of a nanny state and a very badly designed form.
Interestingly there has been no comment on the destination, so maybe =
they
agree with that....
Am I the one who is being unreasonable, with regard to the phone number =
and
destination - let's not get into the "should/should not take a child out =
of
school" debate, unless you really want to!
Simon Howarth.
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