Privacy policy

Last updated:

This privacy policy explains how SchoolCentra ("we", "us", "our") handles personal information when you use our website and services. We are committed to handling data fairly and in line with UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who we are

The data controller responsible for your personal data is [OPERATING ENTITY NAME], registered at [REGISTERED ADDRESS].

For privacy enquiries, contact us at support@schoolcentra.com or via our contact form.

What SchoolCentra does

SchoolCentra helps parents and carers research schools in England. We publish school profiles using official public datasets (including Department for Education and Ofsted sources), and may allow schools to claim and update their pages. We also provide account features such as favourites, saved searches, and school comparisons.

Information we collect

Information you provide

  • Account details — such as your name and email address when you register or sign in.
  • Messages — when you contact us or send feedback through our forms.
  • School admin content — if you claim or manage a school page, information you submit for publication (for example contact details, policies, or term dates).

Information collected automatically

  • Technical data — such as IP address, browser type, and device information, collected in server logs for security and troubleshooting.
  • Usage data — if you accept analytics cookies, we use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site. See our cookie policy for details.
  • Cookie preferences — your analytics consent choice is stored in a first-party cookie.

School data from public sources

Most school information on SchoolCentra comes from official public datasets and open government sources. This data relates to schools as organisations, not to individual children. Where a dataset includes personal data about school staff (for example a headteacher name published by the school or DfE), we process it because it is already lawfully published in the public domain for transparency purposes.

How we use your information

We use personal data to:

  • provide and improve the SchoolCentra website and services;
  • create and manage user accounts and saved preferences;
  • respond to enquiries, feedback, and support requests;
  • enable schools to claim, verify, and manage their public profiles;
  • maintain security, prevent abuse, and enforce our terms;
  • comply with legal obligations.

We only use analytics cookies if you give consent through our cookie banner. You can change your choice at any time using Cookie settings on the site.

Legal bases for processing

Depending on the activity, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

  • Consent — for optional analytics cookies.
  • Contract — to provide account features you sign up for.
  • Legitimate interests — to operate, secure, and improve SchoolCentra, publish public-interest school information, and respond to messages, balanced against your rights.
  • Legal obligation — where we must comply with applicable law.

Sharing your information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with:

  • Service providers — such as hosting, email delivery, and analytics providers (only where analytics cookies are accepted).
  • Schools — if you contact a school through information published on their profile, you are contacting that school directly.
  • Authorities — if required by law or to protect rights, safety, or security.

International transfers

Some service providers may process data outside the UK. Where this happens, we use appropriate safeguards such as UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.

How long we keep data

We keep personal data only for as long as needed for the purposes described above, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Account data is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards. Server logs and security records are kept for a limited period. Analytics data retention follows Google Analytics settings.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:

  • access your personal data;
  • request correction or erasure;
  • restrict or object to certain processing;
  • data portability (where applicable);
  • withdraw consent for analytics cookies at any time;
  • complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

To exercise your rights, contact support@schoolcentra.com.

Children

SchoolCentra is intended for parents, carers, and school staff. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised.