GDPR and publishing exam details in newpapers

[mdrabble]

It is coming to that time of year again when exam results are published and I have just been as if we need consent to publish names and number of exams passed in the local papers.

 

Example 1...… Joe Blogs (4), Jane Doe (5)

 

Example 2....... J Bloggs (4), J Doe (5)

 

 

 

Cheers

[localzuk]

The ICO has a page on this - https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/schools/exam-results/

 

[h=2]Can schools give my exam results to the media for publication?[/h]Publishing examination results is a common and accepted practice. Many students enjoy seeing their name in print, particularly in the local press and the Act does not stop this happening. However, the Act says that schools have to act fairly when publishing results, and where people have concerns about their or their child’s information being published, schools must take those concerns seriously.

Schools should make sure that all pupils and their parents or guardians are aware as early as possible whether examinations results will be made public and how this will be done. Schools should also explain how the information will be published. For example, if results will be listed alphabetically, or in grade order.

In general, because a school has a legitimate interest in publishing examination results, pupils or their parents or guardians do not need to give their consent to publication. However, in a small number of cases publication may cause distress or harm. Schools should consider objections from pupils and parents before making a decision to publish. A school would need to have a good reason to reject someone’s objection to publication of their exam results.

[djrscally]

How many of you actually send the results to the media? I've never quite understood why this is for some reason considered ok, so I've always just ignored the requests from the local papers to send them the results.

[jmak]

Is it just me or does

 

"Can schools give my exam results to the media for publication?

 

Publishing examination results is a common and accepted practice."

 

sound a lot like the teacher who says "but we've always done it, so it must be ok"?

[elsiegee40]

This is answered by the ICO here: https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/schools/exam-results/

 

Can schools give my exam results to the media for publication?

 

Publishing examination results is a common and accepted practice. Many students enjoy seeing their name in print, particularly in the local press and the GDPR does not stop this happening. However, under the GDPR schools have to act fairly when publishing results, and where people have concerns about their or their child’s information being published, schools must take those concerns seriously.

 

Schools should make sure that all pupils and their parents or guardians are aware as early as possible whether examinations results will be made public and how this will be done. Schools should also explain how the information will be published. For example, if results will be listed alphabetically, or in grade order.

 

In general, because a school has a legitimate reason for publishing examination results, pupils or their parents or guardians do not need to give their consent to publication. However, if you have a specific concern about publication of your results, you have the right to object. Schools should consider objections from pupils and parents before making a decision to publish. A school would need to have a good reason to reject someone’s objection to publication of their exam results.

[David44]

I wonder what legitimate reason the ICO are getting at here. I can't think of any.

 

In general, because a school has a legitimate reason for publishing examination results, pupils or their parents or guardians do not need to give their consent to publication.

[mavhc]

ICO, soft on privacy!

 

Surely you just publish the statistics, don't need individuals, never seen that before

[deano3693]

We publish a couple of individual students along with a photo. Fairly standard practice among local schools down here. We get all students to sign a form if we take a picture of them agreeing to us publishing the information on the school website/social media and also sharing with the local newspaper. Students are over 13 so are able to provide there own consent!