Biometrics in Schools

Dear Sir/Madam,

Request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

We are writing to acknowledge receipt of your email dated 27 August 2010,
in which you request the disclosure of information under the provisions of
the above Act.

We have begun a search for the information you require and shall contact
you again when we are in a position to respond further. Should we envisage
any delays, or require more details from you, we will contact you
immediately.

In the meantime, if you have any queries about the above, do not hesitate
to contact us, quoting your reference: 787.651.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Katie Miller.

Freedom of Information | Access to Information Team

Lancashire County Council, PO Box 78,

County Hall, Preston, PR1 8XJ

Tel: 01772 533997

[1]www.lancashire.gov.uk

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Lancashire, a place where everyone matters

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References

Visible links
1. http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/

Dear Mr Meaney,

Request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Further to your email dated 28^th August 2010, in which you request the
disclosure of information under the provisions of the above Act, we are
now in a position to respond.

1) Which schools in the area record biometric data such as pupil's

fingerprints and iris scans?

We operate Biometric systems in the following schools. We don't have any
iris recognition systems.

1. St Anne's Primary Blackburn

2. Bowland High

3. Clitheroe St James Primary

4. Morecambe / Heysham Westgate Primary

5. Pendle Vale Community High

6. Shuttleworth College

7. Marsden Heights Campus

8. Hameldon Campus

9. St Teresa's Up Holland Primary

2) For how long is the data stored?

The only data stored in relation to Biometric systems is:

1. Pupils name

2. Special Dietary Requirements

3. Year Group (and form if secondary)

4. Photograph

a. All of this information is imported from the pupil information held
on our Schools Information Database (SIMS).

5. Five prominent points on index finger or thumb print - the actual
full finger/thumb print is not recorded or retained.

This data is retained for as long as the pupil remains at the school, once
the pupils depart year 11 all information is cleared off the SIMS network
and subsequently cleared off the Biometric system on the new year 7 group
SIMS import.

3) Has parental permission been given to record this data?

The parent receives correspondence from the Headteacher and can opt out if
they feel they wish to. Some systems also have PIN facilities as an
alternative method of recognising the customer.

4) In the last 5 years how much has been spent on the set-up and

management of biometric systems?

The authority hasn't spent anything. The system cost is ultimately the
responsibility of the school. Part IV of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 defines schools as separate public authorities for
the purposes of the Act. Consequently, your enquiry will need to be
addressed to each of the schools within Lancashire separately. Details of
the schools within Lancashire can be found on the County Council's website
at the following URL:
[1]http://lccweb3/corporate/web/view.asp?si...
(links on the right of the page enable you to download the directory of
schools in either Excel or PDF formats).

5) For what purpose has the data been recorded?

The customer can credit their account with funds. The system recognises
the customer via the five prominent points on the scanned finger/thumb. At
the point of sale the system recognises the customer to debit their
account.

Lancashire County Commercial Group operates in 45% of the secondary
schools and 96% of primary schools, the information provided only relates
to these schools and we cannot provide information on behalf of self
managed schools.

We trust that our response is to your satisfaction, but in the event that
you wish to complain about the manner in which your enquiry has been
handled, you should write in the first instance to The Freedom of
Information Officer, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 78, County Hall,
Preston PR1 8XJ, or email [2][Lancashire County Council request email]

If, after this stage, you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to refer
the matter to the Information Commissioner, whose contact details are as
follows:

The Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545700

Email: [3][email address]

Website: [4]http://www.ico.gov.uk

Your request will now be closed as of this date.

Yours sincerely

A Martin

Access to Information Officer

Freedom of Information

Lancashire County Council

PO Box 78

County Hall

Preston

PR1 8XJ

Tel: (01772) 531116

Fax: (01772) 530949

Email: [5][Lancashire County Council request email]

show quoted sections

Lancashire, a place where everyone matters

********************

References

Visible links
1. http://lccweb3/corporate/web/view.asp?si...
http://lccweb3/corporate/web/view.asp?si...
2. mailto:[Lancashire County Council request email]
mailto:[Lancashire County Council request email]
3. mailto:[email address]
mailto:[email address]
4. http://www.ico.gov.uk/
http://www.ico.gov.uk/
5. mailto:[Lancashire County Council request email]
mailto:[Lancashire County Council request email]