Dear Parents/Carers                               
 
GDPR
 
As you may be aware, the Data protection law in the UK changed on 25th May 2018.  The new law is called the General Data Protection Regulation.
 
The new regulation is about protecting people in the modern information age.  It gives more control to individuals and more responsibilities to organisations that collect and hold your data.
 
Schools must comply too.  It affects everyone: staff, parents, children and volunteers.
 
What will schools be doing to prepare?
 
We already have strict data protection policies.  Data is kept secure and used appropriately.  Much will stay the same but with GDPR it will bring even better security and greater transparency.  In many areas consent is not needed as schools have a duty to keep children safe and deliver a high standard of education.  Where consent is needed, you will be asked for it in a clear manner and be allowed to remove it, if you wish.
 
What data is held in school?

• Student Education Data
• Student Medical Data
• Parent Data
• Staff Employment Data
• Staff Health Data
• Special Needs information
• Contracts with suppliers
• School Meals Data
• CCTV
• Payments information

The trustees hold all schools within the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust accountable.  As a MAT, we have a Data Protection Officer who deals with issues around staff training, audit and compliance.  Within our schools, we also have Data Champions who lead on GDPR related issues.
 
What do you need to do?
 
To help ensure that your data is secure and accurate, we are launching SIMS Parent in all schools in the Dartmoor MAT to securely collect, manage and handle key information about your child.
 
Available on iOS, Android and via browser, (www.sims-parent.co.uk) the SIMS Parent app provides a convenient and accessible solution for parents to electronically review and request changes to the data held on them and their children via smartphone, tablet, or PC anytime, anywhere, as well as see key term dates.
 
You will be able to provide additional information on crucial details such as medical information or dietary requirements, using the text information function, ensuring that personal information not previously held in SIMS is collected.  When a change request is submitted by you, automatic emails are sent to the school office.  Administrators are able to view previous requests and details of any action taken via the audit trail within SIMS.  From time to time, we will send notifications to remind you to update your child’s details, eliminating paper based data collection and manual errors.
 
Your school will be sending you your activation link in due course.  Please look out for this.
 
There is also lots of information on the Dartmoor Multi Academy Website. If you have any questions, please contact the school or dpo@dartmoormat.org.uk
 
Thank you.
 
Kind regards
 
Mrs Petersen