GLD Vacancies

SPOTLIGHT

A zero sum game?

The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.

DfE issues advice on data security for schools considering using cloud services

The Department for Education has issued advice for schools on cloud software services and the Data Protection Act.

The advice “outlines how schools need to consider data security when moving services and sensitive information to the internet-based facilities of cloud computing”, the DfE said.

The publication, which can be viewed here, covers:

  • Data protection obligations;
  • Key obligations for schools: overarching legal requirements; data processing; data confidentiality; data integrity; service availability; data transfers beyond the European Economic Area; use of advertising;
  • Self-certification and how it works: supplier responsibilities; the Department for Education’s role;
  • Using checklists; supplier checklists; accessing further information.

The advice applies to all maintained schools, academies and free schools.