Use of CCTV at OLOL
Use of CCTV and Covert Recording
At OLOL, we have a number of CCTV cameras for security and safety reasons. There are cameras on the exterior of the building but there are also cameras in interior spaces where pupils congregate and move to allow us to be vigilant in monitoring pupil behaviour and wellbeing. There are cameras in our main reception space. There are no cameras in any toilet space in school or in any classroom. The school displays a warning sign alerting the community to the use of CCTV and no covert surveillance is taking place.
We can access the images captured for a short window of time but this allows us to be able to investigate any incidents involving pupil, parents, staff or people who visit our school, should any incidents occur.
CCTV is for our internal use and is only shared with very specific external agencies (Police) if we are legally required to do so as part of a lawful investigation, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in the investigation of any incident, our Insurance Companies in the course of any investigation they may have etc. Data subjects may make a request (a Subject Access Request) but if their data is mixed with the data of others we will not share footage and will instead share a Summary Report (see below).
Parents do not have a right to access our CCTV footage. There are strict rules around accessing the data that belongs to individuals. Parents may make a request to see footage but if there are other children in the footage, in order to protect their privacy, we are unlikely to agree to sharing the data with you. Parents may make a formal request to review but using data protection legislation, it would be very rare that we agree to sharing what we store. Parents legitimate reasons for asking are not always the same as our legitimate reasons for refusal.
If an incident happens and we share with you that we have witnessed a behaviour on CCTV, this means that a senior member of the school staff (who is allowed to have access), plus the class teacher most often will have already reviewed the incident and will be feeding back to you what has been seen. It is our hope that parents will receive this feedback as an honest review of what has been seen. The staff have no reason to lie about CCTV footage that can be checked by the senior staff. As well as a verbal feedback, staff can give a parent a written incident summary of the events witnessed (this is a descriptive document detailing what your child is witnessed doing in the footage)
All authorised operators with access to recorded images are aware of the procedures that need to be followed when accessing the images. All employees are aware of the restrictions in relation to access to, and disclosure of, recorded images.
Legal Framework for School CCTV
Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA): The primary law governing CCTV use in schools is the DPA. It outlines guidelines for collecting, storing, and using personal data, including footage captured by surveillance cameras. Schools must process data fairly, securely, and transparently. The Information Commissioner’s Office provides detailed guidance to ensure compliance.
UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Schools must have a lawful basis (such as public interest) for operating CCTV and be transparent about its use. Privacy notices and appropriate signage are essential. Balancing legitimate needs with privacy rights is crucial.
Surveillance Camera Code of Practice: If CCTV is used for crime prevention, schools must adhere to these standards. The system should be proportionate and not excessively intrusive.
Covert Audio and Video Recording at OLOL
Parents and visitors are reminded that we do not allow staff or children to be audio or video recorded without consent. It is hoped that parents will approach us in the spirit of transparency and will join us for meetings without feeling the need to make secret recordings without asking the permission of the person being recorded covertly. We will be open and honest with you and expect the same courtesy in return.
Parents may certainly ask staff if they consent to a Parent’s Evening or other such meeting being recorded for the House Exemption rule (so that you can share the recording with a parent who was not present at the session for example) but staff at OLOL will not agree to this without checking first. If staff refuse to be recorded, we would ask parents and visitors to respect that boundary and find an alternative way of recording such as taking notes.
If parents or visitors covertly record staff, they need to be aware that the Governing Body will not allow any such recordings to be used in complaints processes (this is DfE good practise). If any covertly recorded information is shared on social media or with third parties without the consent of the staff member, the school will take action to have the recording removed and will consider possible legal action up to and including having the parent banned from the school site if necessary.
OLOL's use of CCTV is not regarded as covert as the building is signed and we openly alert parents to teh fact that there are cameras in the building and on external walls within the perimeter.