Data Security and Mobilising the Whole School Workforce to close Educational Attainment Gaps

Abstract

Schools in the UK are required to promote individual learning for all students. They are expected to provide challenge and ‘stretch’ for the most able students. They are also expected to address ‘attainment gaps’between average attainment and groups which regularly attain below that. These groups differ over time but there is significant concern at the moment about white working class boys for example. Looked After Children (that is the UK term for children who are in the care of the local authority as opposed to their parents or other guardians) are also expected to receive additional attention, as are any pupils who may have’additional learning needs’. In order to target support at those pupils who need it the most, schools put a great deal of resource into generating attainment and progress data on their pupils. In order to use this to support pupils it needs to be shared with professionals who may work with the pupils, some of whom may work for the school, some of whom may be part time staff or students on placements, some may be visitors and work for the local authority and some may be private contractors or merely visitors to the school. The challenge is to support pupils in the most effective way, targeting support at those who need it most, while not contravening GDPR or DPA rules, and also not transgressing othe legal obligations such as ‘safeguarding’ or specific rules relating to Looked After Children or Equalities legislation.