GDPR Data Protection Policy

GDPR Data Protection Policy

1. Introduction

This Policy sets out the obligations of Brooklands College, a Further Education College registered in England, whose registered office is at Weybridge Campus, Heath Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8TT (“the College”) regarding data protection and the rights of learners, staff, customers, business contacts (“data subjects”) in respect of their personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018.

This Policy sets the College’s obligations regarding the collection, processing, transfer, storage, and disposal of personal data. The procedures and principles set out herein must be followed at all times by the College, its employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on behalf of the College.

The College is committed not only to the letter of the law, but also to the spirit of the law and places high importance on the correct, lawful, and fair handling of all personal data, respecting the legal rights, privacy, and trust of all individuals with whom it deals. 

2. The Data Protection Principles
This Policy aims to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act. The GDPR sets out the following principles with which any party handling personal data must comply. All personal data must be:

2.1 Processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.

2.2 Collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes. Further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes.

2.3 Adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed.

2.4 Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date. Every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that is inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which it is processed, is erased, or rectified without delay.

2.5 Kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed. Personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes, subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by the GDPR in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject.

2.6 Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures. 

3. The Rights of Data Subjects

The GDPR sets out the following rights applicable to data subjects (please refer to the parts of this policy indicated for further details)

3.1 The right to be informed (Part 12).

3.2 The right of access (Part 13);

3.3 The right to rectification (Part 14);

3.4 The right to erasure (also known as the ‘right to be forgotten’) (Part 15);

3.5 The right to restrict processing (Part 16);

3.6 The right to data portability (Not applicable – no automated process);

3.7 The right to object (Part 17); and

3.8 Rights with respect to automated decision-making and profiling (Not Applicable – no automated decision-making process).

4. Lawful, Fair, and Transparent Data Processing

4.1 The Data Protection Act 2018 seeks to ensure that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, without adversely affecting the rights of the data subject. The GDPR states that processing of personal data shall be lawful if at least one of the following applies:

4.1.1 The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes;

4.1.2 The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract with them;

4.1.3 The processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject;

4.1.4 The processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;

4.1.5 The processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the data controller; or

4.1.6 The processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the data controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.

4.2 If the personal data in question is “special category data” (also known as “sensitive personal data”) (for example, data concerning the data subject’s race, ethnicity, politics, religion, trade union membership, genetics, biometrics (if used for ID purposes), health, sex life, or sexual orientation), at least one of the following conditions must be met:

4.2.1 The data subject has given their explicit consent to the processing of such data for one or more specified purposes (unless EU or EU Member State law prohibits them from doing so); 

4.2.2 The processing is necessary for the purpose of carrying out the obligations and exercising specific rights of the data controller or of the data subject in the field of employment, social security, and social protection law (insofar as it is authorised by EU or EU Member State law or a collective agreement pursuant to EU Member State law which provides for appropriate safeguards for the fundamental rights and interests of the data subject);

4.2.3 The processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person where the data subject is physically or legally incapable of giving consent;

4.2.4 The data controller is a foundation, association, or other non-profit body with a political, philosophical, religious, or trade union aim, and the processing is carried out in the course of its legitimate activities, provided that the processing relates solely to the members or former members of that body or to persons who have regular contact with it in connection with its purposes and that the personal data is not disclosed outside the body without the consent of the data subjects;

4.2.5 The processing relates to personal data which is clearly made public by the data subject;

4.2.6 The processing is necessary for the conduct of legal claims or whenever courts are acting in their judicial capacity;

4.2.7 The processing is necessary for substantial public interest reasons, on the basis of EU or EU Member State law which shall be proportionate to the aim pursued, shall respect the essence of the right to data protection, and shall provide for suitable and specific measures to safeguard the fundamental rights and interests of the data subject;

4.2.8 The processing is necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the working capacity of an employee, for medical diagnosis, for the provision of health or social care or treatment, or the management of health or social care systems or services on the basis of EU or EU Member State law or pursuant to a contract with a health professional, subject to the conditions and safeguards referred to in Article 9(3) of the GDPR;

4.2.9 The processing is necessary for public interest reasons in the area of public health, for example, protecting against serious cross-border threats to health or ensuring high standards of quality and safety of health care and of medicinal products or medical devices, on the basis of EU or EU Member State law which provides for suitable and specific measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject (in particular, professional secrecy); or

4.2.10 The processing is necessary for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) of the GDPR based on EU or EU Member State law which shall be proportionate to the aim pursued, respect the essence of the right to data protection, and provide for suitable and specific measures to safeguard the fundamental rights and the interests of the data subject. 

5. Specified, Explicit, and Legitimate Purposes

The College collects and processes the personal data set out in Part 18 of this Policy. This includes:

5.1.1 Personal data collected directly from data subjects and

5.1.2 Personal data obtained from third parties.

5.2 The College only collects, processes, and holds personal data for the specific purposes set out in Part 18 of this Policy (or for other purposes expressly permitted by the GDPR).

5.3 Data subjects are kept informed at all times of the purpose or purposes for which the College uses their personal data. Please refer to Part 12 for more information on keeping data subjects informed. 

6. Adequate, Relevant, and Limited Data Processing

The College will only collect and process personal data for and to the extent necessary for the specific purpose or purposes of which data subjects have been informed (or will be informed) as under Part 5, above, and as set out in Part 18, below.

7. Accuracy of Data and Keeping Data Up-to-Date

7.1 The College shall ensure that all personal data collected, processed, and held by it is kept accurate and up-to-date. This includes, but is not limited to, the rectification of personal data at the request of a data subject, as set out in Part 14, below.

7.2 The accuracy of personal data shall be checked when it is collected and at yearly intervals thereafter whilst the data subject is at the College. If any personal data is found to be inaccurate or out-of-date, all reasonable steps will be taken without delay to amend or erase that data, as appropriate.

8. Data Retention

8.1 The College shall not keep personal data for any longer than is necessary in light of the purpose or purposes for which that personal data was originally collected, held, and processed.

8.2 When personal data is no longer required, all reasonable steps will be taken to erase or otherwise dispose of it without delay.

8.3 For full details of the College’s approach to data retention, including retention periods for specific personal data types held by the College, please refer to our Data Retention Policy.

9. Secure Processing

The College shall ensure that all personal data collected, held, and processed is kept secure and protected against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage. Further details of the technical and organisational measures which shall be taken are provided in Parts 19 to 24 of this Policy.

10. Accountability and Record-Keeping

10.1 The College’s Data Protection Officer can be written to at: Registered address: Weybridge Campus, Heath Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8TT
(GDPR) Data Protection Officer,
Brooklands College,
Weybridge Campus,
Heath Road,
Weybridge,
Surrey,
KT13 8TT.
email: [email protected]

 

10.2 The Data Protection Officer shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Policy and for monitoring compliance with this Policy, the College’s other data protection-related policies, and with the GDPR and other applicable data protection legislation.

10.3 The College shall keep written internal records of all personal data collection, holding, and processing, which shall incorporate the following information:

10.3.1 The name and details of the College, its Data Protection Officer, and any applicable third-party data processors;

10.3.2 The purposes for which the College collects, holds, and processes personal data;

10.3.3 Details of the categories of personal data collected, held, and processed by the College, and the categories of data subject to which that personal data relates;

10.3.4 Details of any transfers of personal data to non-EEA countries including all mechanisms and security safeguards;

10.3.5 Details of how long personal data will be retained by the College (please refer to the College’s Data Retention Policy); and

10.3.6 Detailed descriptions of all technical and organisational measures taken by the College to ensure the security of personal data. 

11. Data Protection Impact Assessments

11.1 The College shall carry out Data Protection Impact Assessments for any and all new projects and/or new uses of personal data which involve the use of new technologies and the processing involved is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects under the GDPR.

11.2 Data Protection Impact Assessments shall be overseen by the Data Protection Officer and shall address the following:

11.2.1 The type(s) of personal data that will be collected, held, and processed;

11.2.2 The purpose(s) for which personal data is to be used;

11.2.3 The College’s objectives;

11.2.4 How personal data is to be used;

11.2.5 The parties (internal and/or external) who are to be consulted;

11.2.6 The necessity and proportionality of the data processing with respect to the purpose(s) for which it is being processed;

11.2.7 Risks posed to data subjects;

11.2.8 Risks posed both within and to the College; and

11.2.9 Proposed measures to minimise and handle identified risks.

12. Keeping Data Subjects Informed

12.1 The College shall provide the information set out in Part 12.2 to every data subject:

12.1.1 Where personal data is collected directly from data subjects, those data subjects will be informed of its purpose at the time of collection; and

12.1.2 Where personal data is obtained from a third party, the relevant data subjects will be informed of its purpose:

a) if the personal data is used to communicate with the data subject, when the first communication is made; or

b) if the personal data is to be transferred to another party, before that transfer is made; or

c) as soon as reasonably possible and in any event not more than one month after the personal data is obtained.

12.2 The following information shall be provided:

12.2.1 Details of the College including, but not limited to, the identity of its Data Protection Officer;

12.2.2 The purpose(s) for which the personal data is being collected and will be processed (as detailed in Part 18 of this Policy) and the legal basis justifying that collection and processing;

12.2.3 Where applicable, the legitimate interests upon which the College is justifying its collection and processing of the personal data;

12.2.4 Where the personal data is not obtained directly from the data subject, the categories of personal data collected and processed;

12.2.5 Where the personal data is to be transferred to one or more third parties, details of those parties;

12.2.6 Where the personal data is to be transferred to a third party that is located outside of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), details of that transfer, including but not limited to the safeguards in place (see Part 28 of this Policy for further details);

12.2.7 Details of data retention; 

12.2.8 Details of the data subject’s rights under the GDPR;

12.2.9 Details of the data subject’s right to withdraw their consent to the College’s processing of their personal data at any time;

12.2.10 Details of the data subject’s right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (the “supervisory authority” under the GDPR);

12.2.11 Where applicable, details of any legal or contractual requirement or obligation necessitating the collection and processing of the personal data and details of any consequences of failing to provide it; and

12.2.12 Details of any automated decision-making or profiling that will take place using the personal data, including information on how decisions will be made, the significance of those decisions, and any consequences.

13. Data Subject Access

13.1 Data subjects may make subject access requests (“SARs”) at any time to find out more about the personal data which the College holds about them, what it is doing with that personal data, and why. Employees wishing to make a SAR should do so using a Subject Access Request Form to [email protected].

13.2 Responses to SARs shall normally be made within one month of receipt, however this may be extended by up to two months if the SAR is complex and/or numerous requests are made. If such additional time is required, the data subject shall be informed.

13.3 All SARs received shall be handled by the College’s Data Protection Officer.

13.4 The College does not charge a fee for the handling of normal SARs. The College reserves the right to charge reasonable fees for additional copies of information that has already been supplied to a data subject, and for requests that are manifestly unfounded or excessive, particularly where such requests are repetitive.

 

14. Rectification of Personal Data

14.1 Data subjects have the right to require the College to rectify any of their personal data that is inaccurate or incomplete.

14.2 The College shall rectify the personal data in question, and inform the data subject of that rectification, within one month of the data subject informing the College of the issue. The period can be extended by up to two months in the case of complex requests. If such additional time is required, the data subject shall be informed.

14.3 In the event that any affected personal data has been disclosed to third parties, those parties shall be informed of any rectification that must be made to that personal data.

15. Erasure of Personal Data

15.1 Data subjects have the right to request that the College erases the personal data it holds about them in the following circumstances:

15.1.1 It is no longer necessary for the College to hold that personal data with respect to the purpose(s) for which it was originally collected or processed;

15.1.2 The data subject wishes to withdraw their consent to the College holding and processing their personal data;

15.1.3 The data subject objects to the College holding and processing their personal data (and there is no overriding legitimate interest to allow the College to continue doing so) (see Part 17 of this Policy for further details concerning the right to object);

15.1.4 The personal data has been processed unlawfully;

15.1.5 The personal data needs to be erased in order for the College to comply with a particular legal obligation.

15.1.6 The personal data is being held and processed for the purpose of providing information society services to a child.

15.2 Unless the College has reasonable grounds to refuse to erase personal data, all requests for erasure shall be complied with, and the data subject informed of the erasure, within one month of receipt of the data subject’s request. The period can be extended by up to two months in the case of complex requests. If such additional time is required, the data subject shall be informed.

15.3 In the event that any personal data that is to be erased in response to a data subject’s request has been disclosed to third parties, those parties shall be informed of the erasure (unless it is impossible or would require disproportionate effort to do so). 

16. Restriction of Personal Data Processing

16.1 Data subjects may request that the College ceases processing the personal data it holds about them. If a data subject makes such a request, the College shall retain only the amount of personal data concerning that data subject (if any) that is necessary to ensure that the personal data in question is not processed further or is required in relation to any funding claims.

16.2 In the event that any affected personal data has been disclosed to third parties, those parties shall be informed of the applicable restrictions on processing it (unless it is impossible or would require disproportionate effort to do so). 

17. Objections to Personal Data Processing

17.1 Data subjects have the right to object to the College processing their personal data based on legitimate interests, direct marketing (including profiling), and processing for scientific and/or historical research and statistics purposes.

17.2 Where a data subject objects to the College processing their personal data based on its legitimate interests, the College shall cease such processing immediately, unless it can be demonstrated that the College’s legitimate grounds for such processing override the data subject’s interests, rights, and freedoms, or that the processing is necessary for the conduct of legal claims.

17.3 Where a data subject objects to the College processing their personal data for direct marketing purposes, the College shall cease such processing immediately.

17.4 Where a data subject objects to the College processing their personal data for scientific and/or historical research and statistics purposes, the data subject must, under the GDPR, “demonstrate grounds relating to his or her particular situation”. The College is not required to comply if the research is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.  


Personal Data Collected, Held, and Processed

The following personal data is collected, held, and processed by the College (for details of data retention, please refer to the College’s Data Retention Policy): 

Data Ref. Type of Data Purpose of Data