Dear Parent/Guardian
As a result of the introduction of the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Gormanston College will review its legal basis for processing student data.
One of the reasons Gormanston College processes student data is because the Education Act 1998 requires Principals and teachers to use its resources to “ensure that parents of a student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, have access in the prescribed manner to records kept by that school relating to the progress of that student in his or her education.” Essentially, this means that the school’s legal basis for communicating student data with parents ends when the student reaches 18 years of age.
Therefore, I am writing to inform you that if your son/daughter reaches the age of eighteen years while registered in this school, then we are legally obliged to share his/her personal data with him/her only. We understand and appreciate that this may cause a level of apprehension and some difficulties in the use of and signing in to VS Ware the school Management system, but I am sure you understand, the school is obliged to comply with the law.
However, if there is any concern regarding the vital interests of your son/daughter, e.g. health or behavioural concerns, which the school views as negatively affecting his/her well-being, then, under the legislation, the school can communicate such information to parents/guardians of adult students.
I am also writing to inform you that adult students (over the age of 18) will request permission at times to sign themselves out of school. The school must permit this under the law but will always send you a SMS message to confirm we have facilitated this request.
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the school directly.
Dermot Lavin
Principal
Franciscan College Gormanston