Freedom of Information Statement

As a public authority, our school is committed to openness, transparency, and accountability. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the public has a legal right to access a wide range of information held by the school.

The ICO Model Publication Scheme

We have formally adopted the Model Publication Scheme approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This scheme commits our school to proactively publish information, making it easily accessible to parents, carers and the wider community.

Much of the information we hold is already publicly available across our school website. This includes:

• Who we are and what we do: School prospectus, staffing structures, governing body details, contact information, and session times.
• What we spend and how we spend it: Financial statements, budget allocations, and Pupil Premium reports.
• Our priorities and performance: Latest Ofsted inspection reports, academic performance data, and future development plans.
• Our policies and procedures: Statutory school policies including Safeguarding, Behaviour, Admissions, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

How to Request Information

If the information you require is not available on our website, you have the right to make a formal request. To help us process your request efficiently, it must be made in writing (via email or post) and include:

• Your full name
• A contact address (email or postal)
• A clear, specific description of the information you are requesting

Please send your request to:

• Email: office@backworthparkprimary.org.uk
• Postal Address: Freedom of Information Officer, Backworth Park Primary School, Hotspur North, NE27 0FZ.

What Happens Next?

• Timeframe: We will acknowledge your request and respond within 20 school days (excluding weekends and school holidays), or 60 working days if the request is made during extended school closures.
• Charges: Information downloaded from our website is free of charge. If your request requires significant printing, photocopying, or postage, we may charge a small fee to cover these direct costs. We will notify you of any charges before processing your request.

Freedom of Information vs. Personal Data

Please note that the Freedom of Information Act does not cover requests for personal data (such as information about a specific pupil or member of staff).

Personal data is strictly protected under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. If you wish to request personal data held by the school, this must be done via a Subject Access Request (SAR). Please contact the school office directly for guidance on making a SAR.

Exemptions

While we aim to be as transparent as possible, the law protects certain types of information. We may withhold information if an exemption applies under the FOIA, such as data that would breach personal privacy, compromise health and safety, or damage commercial interests. If an exemption applies, we will explain our decision clearly in our response.