Biometric Information and Consent

The School wishes to use biometric information about students as part of an automated biometric recognition system. This is used for the purpose of gaining entry to buildings.

Sections 26 to 28 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (the Act) require the School to notify each parent of a student and to obtain the written consent of at least one parent before the School can use a student’s biometric information.

Biometric Information and How It Will Be Used

Biometric information is information about a person’s physical or behavioural characteristics that can be used to identify them. The School wishes to take and use information from a student’s fingerprint for the purposes described above.

The information will be used as part of an automated biometric recognition system. This system takes measurements of a student’s fingerprint and converts these measurements into a template, which is stored on the system. An image of the student’s fingerprint is not stored; the template (that is, the measurements taken from the fingerprint) is what is used.

The Act places specific requirements on the School when it uses personal information, such as biometric information, about students. For example:

• the School cannot use the information for any purpose other than those described above;
• the School must ensure that the information is stored securely;
• the School must tell parents what it intends to do with the information; and
• the School will not disclose personal information to a third party unless permitted by law.

Providing or Withholding Consent

The School requires the written consent of at least one parent to use a student’s biometric information. However, consent will be overridden at any time if the other parent objects in writing. In addition, if a student objects to the use of their biometric information at any time, the School cannot collect or use that information. Parents may also withdraw their consent at any time in writing addressed to the Head.

Parents give their consent by signing the School’s Acceptance Form, or by completing and returning the School’s biometric information consent form.

When a student leaves the School, or if for any other reason the student ceases to use the biometric system, their biometric data will be securely deleted.

Withdrawing Consent

Consent to the use of a student’s biometric information remains in effect until the student either leaves the School or ceases to use the system. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. Any withdrawal of consent must be made in writing and sent to the Head at the following address: