Does your school use the parents email database to market non-school stuff? How do you feel about it?

[manamana]

Mine does, it makes me quite angry and I don't think the head gets my POV. I have a marketing background and think that the school database is a gift for any company trying to flog their stuff, the open/read rate must be v v high and there is an implied endoresement from the school despite a small disclaimer at the bottom. Anyone else feel like this and managed to get their point across more effectively? Any examples of schools where they don't allow this? Thanks

Dear God. Our school certainly doesn't do this and I'd be reporting them to the Data Commissioner if they did.

I suggest you contact school to state explicitly that you have provided your details for school business only and do not wish to receive any unrelated mailings from them.

Thanks Horry, our headteacher just doesn't get it. I would rather not start quoting legislation but I wondered if anyone had any links to guidance on this?

Our school doesn't and i would second HorryIsUpduffed's suggestion that you write to the school.

There's a little bit of advice here. It might be worth giving them a call to see if what the school is doing is a breach of the Data Protection Act.

Anyone?

No and I would agree with Horry. If the head is not willing to deal with it can you contact the Governors?

Thanks OldBeanBagz, our posts crossed! Might try that Noramum, good idea.

I used to get the odd leaflet in the book bag for external companies (and local churches) but since our school went paperless I don't anymore.

I suppose one slight point might be that the email address isn't given directly to the external company but they are able to contact through the school. Still very annoying and Not On though!