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Supporting you to support schools

Helping EdTech put the focus back on the individual

CONSULTATION

Helping you make the most of your data protection and privacy compliance, through audits, training, action plans, stakeholder engagement and risk management. 

CONFIGURATION

Whether it is at the ‘idea’ and design phase for your solutions or the ‘pilot” and deployment phase, help identify areas to support Data Protection by Design and by Default.

COMMUNICATION

Develop clear language for schools, from contracts and Data Processing Agreements through to User Guides and supporting materials for children.

Latest News

We always try to ensure that we share as much as we can publicly and that where there are helpful articles that we can point people towards, we will do so as part of our ongoing, free service. We do try to make sure that this is done impartially and fairly, and we are always happy to accept contributions from others.
Have a look below for some of our latest articles and editorials.

Simplifying the Relationship Between Schools and EdTech Vendors

A primary source of confusion and conflict between schools, EdTech suppliers, and other agencies often lies in defining their exact relationships with each other, and the subsequent relationships with the students, staff, and families involved. It should be straightforward – schools as data controllers, and suppliers as data processors. However, issues persist due to the varying circumstances, as pointed out by the ICO Helpline.

Before we proceed, it’s important to agree on specific terms and definitions, consider different perspectives, and then formulate what we believe should be the standard procedure. This article isn’t intended to be a basic GDPR course, or a step-by-step guide, but rather aims to provoke thought and provide pertinent questions for self-assessment, regardless of your role in the process.
Let’s take a quick look at what the GDPR says are the definitions of key terms.

Read more

Have you ever wondered what GDPR Compliance means for EdTech Vendors or for Schools?

I wrote this piece a while ago as a way of pulling together some of the guidance and ideas I have previously shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) and never got round to publishing it. I can’t think why but I have been working on some simpler guidance for EdTech vendors to help them understand their roles when working with and on behalf of schools.

Read more
My Data Protection World

K.I.S.S.

When I get asked what the single largest issue is with helping schools on their data protection and privacy journeys, I try to stop laughing and explain that you cannot[…]

Read more
Accountability and Transparency

Gain a better understanding about school needs for data protection and privacy

Learn how to provide scenarios to customers that make their life easier – show your accountability and demonstrate your transparency

A few things we’re great at

We understand how schools work, how Local Authorites work and how EdTech companies work. We understand the importance of Privacy in the connected world and the importance of supporting schools making the right decisions. We understand the limitations that EdTech companies face and the difficulties schools have in changing their own culture. 

Data Protection by Design and by Default

Set the tone right at the very beginning. 

Culture Change

Ensure your staff are in the right place with the right knowledge to support your business and to help you support your customers.

Accountability and Effectiveness

Knowing where you are is part of the first step of any journey. Keeping a track of where you want to go and how to get there won’t work without it.

Training

Whether face to face, remote webinars or online learning, training is key all aspects of data protection and privacy.

GETTING THINGS DONE

The Secret of Success

The Department for Education’s Data Protection Toolkit for Schools would not have become what it is without the support of people like Tony Sheppard. 

BECTA

As a member of Becta’s Information Management and Data Protection working group, Tony has contributed to guidance to schools since mid-2000s

EduGeek.net

A frequent collaborator on the community for IT professionals, Tony is the go-to person for Data Protection and Privacy

EDUCATION DATA MATTERS

Following the DfE’s Working Group, a successor community was set up to help the drive between schools, EdTech vendors and agencies.

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

Tony is well known and well respected across the EdTech sector, having worked, collaborated, consulted or simply had a cuppa with so many members of the community.

GETTING THINGS DONE

Collaboration and Communication

As part of the drive to help EdTech vendors improve their compliance and to be able to demonstrate it, the My Data Protection World team have continued to openly co-operate with DPOs in schools, DPO service Providers, Compliance solutions, Agencies and the wider EdTech industry to clearly set out expectations from schools.

ACCOUNTABILITY

By translating the ICO’s Accountability Toolkit into a model more readily available to EdTech Companies, MDPW’s Framework aims to streamline the work for businesses.

COLLABORATION

Working with schools and DPOs, we have been able to identify the stumbling blocks so many educational institutes face, and align these with models provided by GDPR in Schools.

MESSAGES

Core to supporting EdTech Companies is helping with how they communication key information to schools and DPOs. Schools and Trusts should be completing Due Diligence when working with EdTech companies, so let’s make it easy for them.

UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN

Having an understanding of how children grow in their digital experiences in life, both in and out of school, allows the team to help EdTech companies develop products, ensure the right messages are with schools and support children in their own rights.

Portfolio

With over 20 years of experience across schools, Local Authorities and EdTech Companies, the My Data Protection World team have covered many roles and worked across a range of projects.

What people have said

Don’t take our word for it – here’s what others say:

Anyone who knows or has worked with Tony will appreciate his work ethic and the professionalism with which he approaches everything, not to mention his fantastic sense of humour!

Matt Robbins

Director of IT

Working with Tony proved to be extremely valuable experience in terms of my own professional development. I learned a great deal in that he shows a high degree of enthusiasm and professionalism in whatever task he is confronted with. He has a welcome ability to think outside the box whilst staying open minded to the opinions of others and totally focused on the challenges he faces.

Shereen Johnson

Blue Rose Relations

Tony is a ‘one of the kind’ an educational technologist. I can truly say that working with him has been a pleasure not only has he got an extensive knowledge on educational matters but is backed up with a high technical knowledge

Russell Dyas

Rencore GmbH

Our Partners

Our fledgling team are always eager to work with and support others, helping to provide clients with access to a wealth of expertise. Having worked across the sector for over 2 decades, we have been able to connect or work with some of the best in the business. Come and talk to us if you need peer support, fact checking or simply want to swap jokes.

Contact us

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