Subject Access Requests and School Holidays - How to Handle Data Requests that Arrive as the Academic Year Ends

It’s the last Friday of the summer term and you’ve just received an email from a parent asking for all the data you hold for their child, Student X .

It's a scenario many schools or Trusts have faced over the past few years and is enough to cause a headache for even the most experienced staff.  

However,  there is no need to panic as there are some clear steps you can take to streamline the process or extend the timeframe when necessary.

During the session we will be looking at:

• Key differences between timescales for SARs and FOI requests received in summer.
• What to do during closure periods and how to be transparent with the requester.
• The effect retention has on SARs, and tips on using the summer period to achieve this.
• The importance of having a key contact over closure periods and a clear process within your policies.

Let us introduce you to this week's professional speaker

Bethany Parker

Bethany completed her Law Degree in 2020, and after working as a Litigation Paralegal, she took on the role of Data Protection Consultant at Judicium. She thoroughly enjoys working with the data protection team and utilising the wealth of knowledge and expertise at Judicium. Her focus is to provide excellent support to her clients in assisting them with all their data protection queries. Outside of Data Protection, her hobbies are travelling, food and exercising in the gym.

Sofia Binns

Sofia has worked in education for more than 12 years and has experience in overseeing Data Protection for both schools and large Trusts. She enjoys assisting clients through complex queries . She particularly loves meeting clients during audits for more in-depth discussions and providing support in finding better ways to streamline processes. Outside of work, Sofia loves to cook and spending time with her little boy and big Italian family. She also enjoys Reformer Pilates.