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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Digital safeguarding

31 replies

HardyEM · 04/01/2023 16:01

My childs secondary school allows all teaching staff (inc teaching assistants and support staff) to use their unsecure, unmonitored mobile phones to access children's sensitive data inc safeguarding, medical, pupil premium, photo, SEND (via an APP called Classcharts). This has been done deliberately without parental knowledge (I only know this because I was a Teaching Assistant). This is a serious Safeguarding issue. Why is it necessary for all staff to access this type of data on personal, unmonitored mobile phones? Do your Schools allow this? Two other Schools in my area using ClassCharts confirmed only Headteacher and Safeguarding Lead have access on a school issued device. Not a free for all. Thoughts please.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 05/01/2023 14:13

You've raised this before haven't you?

Wasn't the response that the actual data is elsewhere and doesn't end up on the mobile phones or whatever.

Teachers need access to information on pupils so they can do their job properly, e.g. prepping for lessons from home. Why would you want to make their lives harder?

What axe are you grinding here?

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 05/01/2023 15:00

I've seen this exact thread before just a few weeks ago.

Personally there's a hundred things I'd be interested in with school before this.

TeenDivided · 05/01/2023 15:07

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 05/01/2023 15:00

I've seen this exact thread before just a few weeks ago.

Personally there's a hundred things I'd be interested in with school before this.

Exactly.

And 'deliberately without parental knowledge'. Why should parents have to be informed about every bit of IT their school decides to use?

Starlightstarbright1 · 05/01/2023 15:18

If you have an issue talk to school.

lbnblbnb · 05/01/2023 15:32

You are starting this thread after your previous thread got taken down, but again....
You are scaremongering. I am a teacher and have to use 2factor log in to access this info on my mobile. The data is not stored on my mobile and I can't access it without the 2factor.

To do my job, I need to know the SEN etc needs of the students I am teaching. How could I do it otherwise? Being given printouts is far less secure.

I really don't see why you are obsessed with this.

TeenDivided · 05/01/2023 15:59

I'd rather a teacher planned a lesson understanding my DD's learning needs, triggers and sensitive topics than ignored them because they can only get access between 8.45 and 3pm to the required info, and are teaching then anyway.
Some teachers have a very large number of pupils e.g. RE, they can't possibly remember all their needs.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 05/01/2023 16:06

On your other thread about online home works, most parents said they are happy with it. This too, don't bother me.
If you are unhappy about your child's school, talk to them. You keep posting on the MN doesn't help with your problem with your own child's school. As you can see, most of parents are ok with what their children's school/teachers are doing.
And if not, we can clarify with our own schools.

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:03

There is no justification to access children's personal data on staffs personal mobile phones. I have spoken to other Headteachers who agree that it is unnecessary and irresponsible, so they don't allow it. Why are some choosing to take risks and others not?

OP posts:
bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:04

Is the data in the phones though? I thought they just accessed the information via the phones?

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:07

Thats absolutely fine for parents happy with their children accessing their education via screens. I'm just making the point that we (and more importantly our children's needs) are not all the same. I'm on here to share information, hopefully getting people to think about things.

OP posts:
bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:10

What does the school BYOD policy say?

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:11

They didn't have one when they implemented the software. Making it up as they go along.

OP posts:
bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:12

That is most unusual - most organisations that allow BYOD have policies in place and have had for at least 10 years in my experience.

spanieleyes · 05/01/2023 18:13

I can access Childrens data on my laptop and my iPad too, otherwise I can't do my job. What makes a phone different?

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:13

But why on their unsecure personal mobile phone?

OP posts:
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 05/01/2023 18:14

bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:04

Is the data in the phones though? I thought they just accessed the information via the phones?

That's what I thought too. As long as you have login details, you can access from any device, isn't it?
Like pp said, the data itself isn't stored in individual teacher's phone, is it?
What if teacher had to find out something about pupil's information while out of school hours?

I can see you are strongly against it, that's great. And if your dc's headteachers are also against it, what's the problem? What other people feel about it is totally irrelevant to you, isn't it?

bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:16

HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:13

But why on their unsecure personal mobile phone?

What's more insecure about a phone than an iPad?

I can't believe a school or academy chain or local authority wouldn't have a BYOD policy.

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:16

Think of all the ways you use your personal mobile phone.

OP posts:
bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:16

HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:16

Think of all the ways you use your personal mobile phone.

Yes. And?

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:24

I don't expect anyone's personal use mobile phone to be used professionally at all times its just unrealistic.

OP posts:
Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:25

Have reported them to ICO.

OP posts:
bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:25

HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:24

I don't expect anyone's personal use mobile phone to be used professionally at all times its just unrealistic.

Why is it unrealistic?

bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:25

HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:25

Have reported them to ICO.

What for?

Original poster
HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:34

You say "scaremongering" I call it "transparency". Most parents have no idea about this process and are subsequently denied their right to object to it.

OP posts:
bestchristmasever · 05/01/2023 18:45

HardyEM · 05/01/2023 18:34

You say "scaremongering" I call it "transparency". Most parents have no idea about this process and are subsequently denied their right to object to it.

Where have I used the word scaremongering?

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