Data Protection

For many MATs, the biggest GDPR risk is not non-compliance. It's a lack of visibility.

As schools and multi-academy trusts prepare for a new academic year, many senior leaders are focused on attendance, staffing, budgets and outcomes. However, a recent change from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) deserves a place on every...

A small line in Microsoft’s Copilot terms triggered a significant response a couple of weeks ago. The phrase “for entertainment purposes only”, when shared without context, understandably raised concerns across education. 

It is important that schools and MATs assess EdTech supplier compliance (existing or new) properly to ensure you are able to meet UK GDPR requirements.

The introduction of the Data (Use and Access) Act brings an important new requirement for all education settings: by 19 June 2026, every school and trust must have a clear, accessible, and effective data protection complaints process in place. This...

Discover how you can build cyber response playbooks for team-wide readiness and resilience. As digital systems become more interconnected across a Trust, a cyber incident in one school can rapidly affect others, making a coordinated, MAT-wide...

Wrap up cyber safety before you wrap up for Christmas

The Christmas holidays are a time for joy and rest - but for cybercriminals, it’s business as usual. With schools closed and systems unattended, the festive season can be a prime opportunity for...

Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) handle vast amounts of sensitive data every day, from student records to staff information. In line with UK GDPR requirements, this data must be protected with robust technical and organisational measures. ...

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), as highlighted in a recent BBC feature, has issued a strong advisory to the education sector: incidents of students hacking into their own school and college IT systems are on the rise; sometimes as part...