ACADEMIC RECORDS

[Minx179]

I put in a request for childs academic records. Have just had a call from school stating they will charge 3p per sheet reasonable. But we will be charged for the staff wages/time it takes to repro the material.

In my original letter I had offered to go in an copy docs myself, school don't want to take me up on this, as other people will be wanting to use the machine! Neither can we take in our own scanner as it's not safety checked.

Looked on ICO website which states sliding scale for Educational docs up to a maximum of £50, however this doesn't mention paying for time (though time/cost is mentioned elsewhere on the site for when applying for council/police docs etc, but more in the context of finding the info out would take too many man hours to collate the info requested therefore is not worth it).

Does anybody know if the school can factor staff time/wages on top of the cost of the documents? Or whether £50 is the absolute maximum they can charge?

have you read this It's not particularly clear. Although you can view for free and they must not charge. Could be worth ringing the number on the bottom to find out.

I'm pretty sure the £50 maximum includes both copying and staff time. I got some GP records which was costed at £70 and they charged me the maximum of £50. I'm sure if it was £50+staff costs they'd have charged me more, iyswim.

Incidentally, I got my DS' educational records copied for free - schools can charge but may choose not to. Your school sounds like they're being awkward!

Personally I'd email the ICO - if the answer's in your favour you can bring the email in to show the school.

Thanks for the replies.

I did see his records for free earlier this academic year, which is why I want hard copies now.

As it's 10 years worth of documents there is quite a lot of photocopying to be done!

I've looked at it again and I think you're right scm, though I don't think the school were too impressed that I was adament re the cost though!

just had my dd's records done, I was charged 10p a sheet. There was no charge for admin, etc.