Wellsway School in Keynsham, near Bristol, faces scrutiny after a significant data breach involving sensitive student information. The Information Commissioner's Office received a report after the school inadvertently emailed 86,000 lines of sensitive data to a couple who had submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, initiated the request due to concerns about the excessive use of the school's withdrawal room, where their daughter was frequently sent.
The couple's daughter, described as "happy and positive" by her parents, prompted their investigation after multiple instances in the withdrawal room. Her mother, a former teacher, expressed frustration at the school's dismissive attitude towards their concerns. They argue that "whether [rule breaking] is minor or severe, it's the same punishment. It's a sledgehammer approach," indicating their dissatisfaction with the school's disciplinary measures.
Upon receiving the data, the couple discovered comprehensive information on various children. They realized the extent of this breach only after reviewing the spreadsheet for several weeks. Assured by Wellsway School that no further sharing had occurred, the couple promptly deleted the data. Head teacher Rob Pearsall confirmed, "We have done all we can to make sure that data has not been shared."
Rob Pearsall has extended an apology to the affected parents, stating, "It was a regrettable mistake and we have apologised to parents." He provided assurances that teachers are diligently monitoring and working with students to prevent educational setbacks. According to Pearsall, "All I can do is give assurances that teachers carefully monitor and work with children to make sure they don't lose out and they do catch up." He further emphasized that internal data and students' success in their GCSEs demonstrate that such incidents do not negatively impact educational outcomes.
The school's management falls under the Futura Learning Partnership. Despite this incident, an Ofsted inspection conducted before Christmas rated Wellsway School's behavioral policy as good.
