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DATA RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION POLICY
Compiled by J Davies – January 2018
Ratified by Principal:
To be reviewed:
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DATA RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION POLICY 1. INTRODUCTION
This policy applies to all records created, received, stored and maintained by staff at the Academy in the course of carrying out its function. Whilst doing so, it is the responsibility of Whitley Academy to take account of the following factors:
• The most efficient and effective way of storing records and information;
• The confidential nature of the records and information stored;
• The security of the records systems used;
• Privacy and disclosure; and
• Their accessibility.
Records are defined as all those documents (whether stored in hard copy, or electronically) which facilitate the business carried out by the Academy and which are thereafter retained (for a set period of time) to provide evidence of its transactions or activities.
This policy does not form part of an employee’s contract of employment and is not intended to have contractual effect. It does, however, reflect the Academy’s current practice, the requirements of current legislation and best practice and guidance. It may be amended by the Academy from time to time and any changes will be notified to employees within one month of the date on which the change is intended to take effect. The Academy may also vary any parts of this procedure, including any time limits, as appropriate in any case. 2. RESPONSIBILITY The Academy has a coporate responsibility to maintain its records and record keeping systems in accordance with the regulatory environment.The Principal has overall responsibility for this policy. DATA PROTECTION AND GDPR This policy complies with the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018. Data will be stored and processed to allow for the efficient operation of the Academy. The School’s Data Protection Policy outlines its duties and obligations under the Data Protection Act and GDPR. DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS Where records have been identified for destruction they should be disposed of in an appropriate way. All records containing personal information, or sensitive policy information should be shredded or deleted. The Academy maintains a database of records which have been destroyed and who authorised their destruction. This record is kept ------. When destroying documents, the appropriate staff member should record in this list at least:-
• File title/ description;
• Number of files; and
• Name of the authorising officer. ARCHIVING Where records have been identified as being worthy of preservation over the longer term, arrangements should be made to transfer the records to the archives. A database of the records sent to the archives is maintained by the Data Systems Manager. The appropriate staff member, when archiving documents should record in this list the following information:-
• File title/ description; • Number of files; and
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• Name of authorising officer. TRANSFERRING INFORMATION TO OTHER MEDIA Where lengthy retention periods have been allocated to records, members of staff may wish to consider converting paper records to other media such as digital media or virtual storage centres (such as cloud storage). The lifespan of the media and the ability to migrate data where necessary should always be considered. RESPONSBILITY AND MONITORING The Data Systems Manager has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing the Policy and for monitoring its use and effectiveness and dealing with any queries on its interpretation. Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them are made aware of and understand this Policy and are given adequate and regular training on it. The DPO will monitor the effectiveness and review the implementation of this Policy, regularly considering its suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Any improvements identified will be made as soon as possible. Internal control systems and procedures will be subject to regular audits to provide assurance that they are effective in creating, maintaining and removing records.
RETENTION SCHEDULE
When managing records, the Academy will adhere to standard retention times listed in the attached retention schedule. These will be monitored by the Academy’s DPO.
Managing records against the retention schedule is classified as “normal processing” for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
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Governors
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Minutes
• Principal set (signed)
No Permanent Retain in school for 6 years from date of meeting
Transfer to Archives
• Inspection copies
No Date of meeting + 3 years
Destroy
Agendas No Date of meeting Destroy
Reports No Date of report + 6 years
Retain in school for 6 years from date of meeting
Transfer to Archives
Annual Parents’ meeting papers
No Date of meeting + 6 years
Retain in school for 6 years from date of meeting
Transfer to Archives
Instruments of Government
No Permanent Retain in school Transfer to the archives when the school has closed
Trusts and Endowments
No Permanent Retain in school whilst operationally required
Transfer to Archives
Action Plans No Date of action plan + 3 years
Destroy It may be appropriate to offer to the Archives
Policy documents No Expiry of policy Retain in school whilst policy is operational
Transfer to the Archives
Complaints files Yes Date of resolution of complaint + 6 years
Retain in school for the first six years Review for further retention in the case of contentious disputes Destroy routine complaints
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Governors
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Annual Reports required by the Department for Education and Skills
No Education (Governors’ Annual Reports) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002.SI 2002 No 1171
Date of report + 10 years
Transfer to Archives
Proposals for schools to become, or be established as Specialist Status schools
No Current year + 3 years Transfer to Archives
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Management
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Log Books Yes Date of last entry in the book + 6 years
Retain in the school for 6 years from the date of the last entry
Transfer to the Archives
Minutes of the Senior Management Team and other internal administrative bodies
Yes Date of meeting + 5 years
Retain in the school for 5 years from meeting
Transfer to Archives
Reports made by the head teacher or the management team
Yes Date of report + 3 years
Retain in the school for 3 years from meeting
Transfer to Archives
Records created by head teachers, deputy head teachers, heads of year and other members of staff with administrative responsibilities
Yes Closure of file + 6 years
Destroy
Correspondence created by head teachers, deputy head teachers, heads of year and other members of staff with administrative responsibilities
No Date of correspondence + 3 years
Destroy
Professional development plans
Yes Closure + 6 years DESTROY
School development plans
No Closure + 6 years Review Offer to the Archives
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Pupils
Basic File Description Data
Protection
Issues
Statutory
Provisions
Retention Period [operational] Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Admission (successful)
Yes DOB of pupil + 21 years Destroy
Admission (unsuccessful)
Yes Resolution of case + 1 year Destroy
Attendance registers Yes Date of register + 3 years Destroy
Pupil files Yes
• Secondary Limitation Act 1980
DOB of the pupil + 21 years Destroy
Special Educational Needs files, reviews and Individual Education Plans
Yes DOB of the pupil + 21 year Destroy
Letters authorising absence
No Date of absence + 2 years Destroy
Examination results Yes
• Public No Year of examinations + 6 years Destroy Any certificates left unclaimed should be returned to the appropriate Examination Board
• Internal examination results
Yes Current year + 5 years Destroy
Any other records created in the course of contact with pupils
Yes/No Current year + 3 years Review at the end of 3 years and either allocate a further retention period or destroy
Statement maintained under The Education Act 1996 - Section 324
Yes Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
DOB + 30 years Destroy unless legal action is pending
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Section 1
Proposed statement or amended statement
Yes Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 Section 1
DOB + 30 years Destroy unless legal action is pending
Advice and information to parents regarding educational needs
Yes Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 Section 2
Closure + 12 years Destroy unless legal action is pending
Accessibility Strategy Yes Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 Section 14
Closure + 12 years Destroy unless legal action is pending
Children SEN Files Yes DOB of pupil + 25 years then review- it may be appropriate to add an additional retention period in certain cases
Destroy unless legal action is pending
Parental permission slips for school trips- where there has been no major incident
Yes Conclusion of the trip Destroy
Parental permission slips for school trips- where there has been a major incident
Yes Limitation Act 1980
DOB of the pupil involved in the incident + 25 years Permission slips for all pupils on the trip need to be retained to show that the rules had been followed for all pupils
Destroy
Records created by schools to obtain approval to run an Educational Visit outside the classroom
No 3 part supplement to the H+S of Pupils on Educational Visits (HASPEV) (1998)
Date of visit + 10 years Destroy
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Curriculum
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
School syllabus
No Current year + 1 year It may be appropriate to review these records at the end of each year and allocate a new retention period or destroy
Schemes of work
No Current year + 1 year It may be appropriate to review these records at the end of each year and allocate a new retention period or destroy
Timetable
No Current year + 1 year It may be appropriate to review these records at the end of each year and allocate a new retention period or destroy
Mark Books
No Current year + 1 year It may be appropriate to review these records at the end of each year and allocate a new retention period or destroy
Record of homework set
No Current year + 1 year It may be appropriate to review these records at the end of each year and allocate a new retention period or destroy
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Curriculum
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Pupils’ work
No Current year + 1 year It may be appropriate to review these records at the end of each year and allocate a new retention period or destroy
SATS records Yes Current year + 6 years Destroy
PANDA reports Yes Current year + 6 years Destroy
Value added records Yes Current year + 6 years Destroy
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Personnel
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Timesheets, sick pay Yes Financial Regulations Current year + 6 years Destroy
Staff Personal files Yes Termination + 6 years Destroy
Interview notes and recruitment records
Yes Date of interview + 12 months
Destroy
Pre-employment vetting information (including DBS checks)
No CRB guidelines Date of check + 6 months
Destroy
Disciplinary proceedings:
Yes Please note that all these retention periods where the warning relates to child protection issues may change in light of any recommendations made by the Bichard Inquiry.
• Oral warning 6 years after employment ceases
Destroy If this is placed on a personal file, it must be weeded from the file.
• written warning – level one
6 years after employment ceases
Destroy If this is placed on a personal file, it must be weeded from the file.
• written warning – level two
6 years after employment ceases
Destroy If this is placed on a personal file, it must be weeded from the file.
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Personnel
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
• final warning 6 years after employment ceases
Destroy If this is placed on a personal file, it must be weeded from the file.
• case not found If Child Protection related then retain until the person’s normal retirement age, or 10 years from the date of the allegation whichever is longer. Otherwise destroy immediately at the conclusion of the case
Records relating to accident/injury at work
Yes Date of incident + 12 years
Review at the end of this period. In the case of serious accidents a further retention period will need to be applied
Annual appraisal/assessment records
No 6 years after employment ceases
Destroy
Salary cards Yes Last date of employment + 85 years
Destroy
Maternity pay records Yes Statutory Maternity Pay (General) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1960), revised 1999 (SI 1999/567)
6 years after employment ceases
Destroy
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Personnel
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Records held under Retirement Benefits Schemes (Information Powers) Regulations 1995
Yes Current year + 6 years Destroy
Proofs of identity collected as part of the process of checking “portable” enhanced DBS disclosure.
Yes Where possible these should be checked and a note kept of what was seen and what has been checked. If it is felt necessary to keep copy documentation then this should be placed on the member of staff’s personal file.
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Health + Safety
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Accessibility Plans Disability Discrimination Act
Current year + 6 years Destroy
Accident Reporting Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 Regulation 25. Social Security Administration Act 1992 Section 8. Limitation Act 1980
• Adults Yes Date of incident + 7 years
Destroy
• Children Yes DOB + 25 years Destroy
COSHH Current year + 10 years
Review [where appropriate an additional retention period may be allocated]
Incident reports Yes Current year + 20 years
Destroy
Policy Statements Date of expiry + 1 year Destroy
Risk Assessments Current year + 3 years Destroy
Process of monitoring of areas where employees and persons are likely to have come in contact with asbestos
Last action + 40 years Destroy
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Health + Safety
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Process of monitoring of areas where employees and persons are likely to have come in contact with radiation
Last action + 50 years Destroy
Fire Precautions log books
Current year + 6 years Destroy
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Administrative
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Employer's Liability certificate
Closure of the school + 40 years
Destroy
Inventories of equipment and furniture
Current year + 6 years Destroy
General file series
Current year + 5 years Review to see whether a further retention period is required
Transfer to Archives
School brochure/prospectus
Current year + 3 years Transfer to Archives
Circulars (staff/parents/pupils)
Current year + 1 year Destroy
Newsletters, ephemera
Current year + 1 year Review to see whether a further retention period is required
Transfer to Archives
Other Administrative
Basic File Description Data Protection
Issues
Statutory
Provisions
Retention Period [operational]
Insurance Policies- Employers Liability No Employers Liability
Financial
Regulations
The policies are kept for a minimum of 6 years
and a maximum of 40 years depending on the
type of policy
Claims made against insurance policies- damage to
property
Yes Case concluded + 3 years
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Claims made against insurance policies – personal
injury
Yes Case concluded + 6 years
Personal files- records relating to an individual’s
employment history
Yes Termination + 6 years then review
Pre-employment vetting information (including
DBS checks)
No DBS guidance Date of check + 6 months
Staff training record- general Yes Current year + 2 years
Training (proof of completion such as certificates,
awards, exam results)
Yes Last action + 7 years
Premises files (relating to maintenance) No Cessation of use of building + 7 years then review
Risk Assessments No Current year + 3 years
Staff training records- general Yes Current year + 2 years
Basic File Description Data Protection
Issues
Statutory
Provisions
Retention Period [operational]
Premises files (relating to maintenance) New Cessation of use of building + 7 years then review
Risk assessments New Current year + 3 years
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Finance
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Annual Accounts Financial Regulations Current year + 6 years Offer to the Archives
Loans and grants Financial Regulations Date of last payment on loan + 12 years
Review to see whether a further retention period is required
Transfer to Archives
Contracts
• under seal Contract completion date + 12 years
Destroy
• under signature
Contract completion date + 6 years
Destroy
• monitoring records
Current year + 2 years Destroy
Copy orders Current year + 2 years Destroy
Budget reports, budget monitoring etc.
Current year + 3 years Destroy
Invoice, receipts and other records covered by the Financial Regulations
Financial Regulations Current year + 6 years Destroy
Annual Budget and background papers
Current year + 6 years Destroy
Order books and requisitions
Current year + 6 years Destroy
Delivery Documentation
Current year + 6 years Destroy
Debtors’ Records Limitation Act 1980 Current year + 6 years Destroy
School Fund – Cheque books
Current year + 3 years Destroy
School Fund – Paying in books
Current year + 6 years Destroy
School Fund – Ledger Current year + 6 years Destroy
School Fund – Invoices
Current year + 6 years Destroy
School Fund – Receipts
Current year + 6 years Destroy
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Finance
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
School Fund – Bank statements
Current year + 6 years Destroy
School Fund – School Journey books
Current year + 6 years Destroy
Applications for free school meals, travel, uniforms etc.
Whilst child at school Destroy
Student grant applications
Current year + 3 years Destroy
Free school meals registers
Yes Financial Regulations Current year + 6 years Destroy
Petty cash books Financial Regulations Current year + 6 years Destroy
Financial records- accounts, statements, invoices, petty cash etc.
No Current year + 6 years
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Property
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Title Deeds Permanent These should follow the property
Offer to Archives
Plans Permanent Retain in school whilst operational
Offer to Archives
Maintenance and contractors
Financial Regulations Current year + 6 years Destroy
Leases Expiry of lease + 6 years
Destroy
Lettings Current year + 3 years Destroy
Burglary, theft and vandalism report forms
Current year + 6 years Destroy
Maintenance log books
Last entry + 10 years Destroy
Contractors’ Reports Current year + 6 years Destroy
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LEA
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Secondary transfer sheets (Primary)
Yes Current year + 2 years Destroy
Attendance returns Yes Current year + 1 year Destroy
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DfES
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
HMI reports These do not need to be kept any longer
Transfer to Archives
OFSTED reports and papers
Replace former report with any new inspection report
Review to see whether a further retention period is required
Transfer to Archives
Returns Current year + 6 years Destroy
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Child Protection
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
Child Protection Files Yes Education Act 2002, related guidance “Safeguarding Children in Education”, September 2004
Date of leaving + 21 years
Destroy Child Protection information must be copied and sent under separate cover to new school/college whilst the child is still under 18 (the information does not need to be sent to a university) Where a child is removed from roll to be educated at home, the file should be copied to the Local Authority.
Allegation of a child protection nature against a member of staff, including where the allegation is unfounded
Yes Employment Practices Code: Supplementary Guidance 2.13.1 (Records of Disciplinary and Grievance) Education Act 2002 guidance “Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and Other Staff” November 2005
Until the person’s normal retirement age, or 10 years from the date of the allegation whichever is the longer
Destroy The following is an extract from “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education” p60: “Record Keeping 5.10 It is important that a clear and comprehensive summary of any allegations made, details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, and a note of any action taken and decisions reached, is kept on a person’s confidential personnel file, and a copy provided to the person concerned. The purpose of the record is to enable accurate information to be given in response to any future request for a reference if the person has moved on. It will provide clarification in cases where a future DBS Disclosure reveals information from the police about an allegation that did not result in a criminal conviction. And it will help to prevent unnecessary reinvestigation if, as sometimes happens, an allegation re-surfaces after a period of time. The record should be retained at least
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Child Protection
Basic File Description Data Protection Issues Statutory Provisions Retention Period
[operational]
Action at the end of the administrative life of
the record
until the person has reached normal retirement age or for a period of 10 years from the date of the allegation if that is longer.”
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