Biometric Consent Letter - The Chase Technology College

THE CHASE SCHOOLHeadteacher: Kevin Peck MA(Cantab.); MEdDeputy Headteachers:Michael Fieldhouse BSc; MScAnnie Williams BAGERALDINE ROADMALVERNWORCESTERSHIREWR14 3NZ13 th May 2013Dear Parent/CarerTel (01684) 891961Fax (01684) 566643www.chase.worcs.sch.ukoffice@chase.worcs.sch.ukRETURN REQUIRED FROMALL PARENTSYou may be aware that The Chase has made significant improvements in technology over thelast 12 months including a new cashless catering system whereby students are recognised byplacing their index finger onto a scanner. This has proved very popular and successful and weare now planning to extend this student recognition system to our library facilities.Due to a change in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and The Data Protection Act 1998schools are asked to obtain consent from parents for the continued use of biometric data held forpupils.This new Act comes into operation from 1 September 2013 and in order to avoid any delay inyour child accessing the catering service or library system when s/he joins the school inSeptember, it is essential that you complete the attached consent form and return it to the schoolas soon as possible.Where consent is not given, your child will still be able to access the full range of catering services byusing a card, however the reason the biometric cashless system has been put into place was to avoidthe problems of service delay, card loss, theft and bullying that can be experienced with card-basedsystems.Attached to this letter, isfurther guidance regarding the use of biometric information;the consent form.Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any queries and thank you for your support.Yours sincerely,Kevin Peck.Company Registration Number: 7800306New Students

NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO PROCESS PUPILS’ BIOMETRIC INFORMATIONDear Parent/CarerThe school uses information about your child as part of an automated (i.e. electronically-operated)recognition system. This is for the purposes of identifying your child when using the school’scatering and library facilities. The information from your child that we wish to use is referred to as‘biometric information’ (see next paragraph). Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (sections26 to 28), we are required to notify each parent of a child and obtain the written consent of at leastone parent before being able to use a child’s biometric information for an automated system.Biometric information and how it will be usedBiometric information is information about a person’s physical or behavioural characteristics thatcan be used to identify them, for example, information from their fingerprint. The school would liketo take and use information from your child’s fingerprint and use this information for the purpose ofproviding your child with catering and library facilities.The information will be used as part of an automated biometric recognition system. This systemwill take measurements of your child’s fingerprint and convert these measurements into a templateto be stored on the system. An image of your child’s fingerprint is not stored. The template (i.e.measurements taking from your child’s fingerprint) is what will be used to permit your child toaccess services.You should note that the law places specific requirements on schools when using personalinformation, such as biometric information, about pupils for the purposes of an automatedbiometric recognition system.For example:a) the school cannot use the information for any purpose other than those for which it wasoriginally obtained and made known to the parent(s) (i.e. as stated above);b) the school must ensure that the information is stored securely;c) the school must tell you what it intends to do with the information;d) unless the law allows it, the school cannot disclose personal information to anotherperson/body – you should note that the only person/body that the school wishes to sharethe information with is Cunningham’s who supply our cashless catering system. This isnecessary in order to operate the cashless/biometric catering.Providing your consent/objectingAs stated above, in order to be able to use your child’s biometric information, the written consentof at least one parent is required. However, consent given by one parent will be overridden if theother parent objects in writing to the use of their child’s biometric information. Similarly, if your childobjects to this, the school cannot collect or use his/her biometric information for inclusion on theautomated recognition system.You can also object to the proposed processing of your child’s biometric information at a laterstage or withdraw any consent you have previously given. This means that, if you give consent butlater change your mind, you can withdraw this consent. Please note that any consent, withdrawalof consent or objection from a parent must be in writing.Even if you have consented, your child can object or refuse at any time to their biometricinformation being taken/used. Your child’s objection does not need to be in writing. We would

appreciate it if you could discuss this with your child and explain to them that they can object tothis if they wish.The school is also happy to answer any questions you or your child may have.If you do not wish your child’s biometric information to be processed by the school, or your childobjects to such processing, the law says that we must provide reasonable alternativearrangements for children who are not going to use the automated system to use the catering andlibrary facilities.If you give consent to the processing of your child’s biometric information, please sign, date andreturn the enclosed consent form to the school.Please note that when your child leaves the school or if for some other reason he/she ceases touse the biometric system, his/her biometric data will be securely deleted.

CONSENT FORM FOR THE USE OF BIOMETRIC INFORMATIONPlease complete to indicate your consent to the school taking and using information from yourchild’s fingerprint by The Chase School as part of an automated biometric recognition system.This biometric information will be used by The Chase School for the purpose of providingservices for the catering and library services at the school.In signing this form, you are authorising the school to use your child’s biometric information forthis purpose until he/she either leaves the school or ceases to use the system. If you wish towithdraw your consent at any time, this must be done in writing and sent to the school at thefollowing address:The Chase SchoolGeraldine RoadMalvenWorcestershireWR14 3NZOnce your child ceases to use the biometric recognition system, his/her biometric informationwill be securely deleted by the school.Name of child: …………………………………… Tutor Group: ……………………….Please tick one box below,Having read guidance provided to me by The Chase School,I give consent to information from the fingerprint of my child being taken and used byThe Chase School for use as part of an automated biometric recognition system forproviding services for the catering and library services at the school. I understand thatI can withdraw this consent at any time in writing.I do not give consent to information from the fingerprint of my child being taken andused by The Chase School for use as part of an automated biometric recognitionsystem for providing services for the catering and library services at the school. Iunderstand that I can amend this consent at any time in writing.Name of Parent: …………………………………………………………………………..Signature: ………………………………………………………………………Date: ……………………Please return this form to Leena Batchelor in the main office as soon as possible.