Systems &
Ecosystem Support

Systems & Ecosystem Support

Why Systems & Ecosystem Support Makes Privacy Work in the Real World

Every school is part of something bigger.

You use apps and platforms. You connect with charities and suppliers. You share services with other schools, trusts, and communities. And every time data moves through that system, so does risk.

That’s why Pillar 4: Systems & Ecosystem Support matters.

It’s not enough to manage what happens inside your school. You also need to make sure your digital systems, partnerships, websites, and service providers meet your standards — and protect the children and families you serve.

This pillar focuses on helping schools understand and manage the wider privacy ecosystem around them — so that your internal efforts aren’t undermined by weak links or blind spots.

Supporting you

1. EdTech Vendor UX & Privacy Feedback

Support schools (and their vendors) by reviewing tools with a child- and school-friendly lens:

  • Are default settings safe?

  • Can students manage their data?

  • Is language accessible?

2. Website Privacy & Cookie Audit

Many school websites quietly breach regulations:

  • Audit cookie use, consent banners, embedded content (e.g. YouTube, Google Maps)

  • Recommend fixes or liaise with IT provider

  • Help create/update the website privacy notice

3. Public-Facing Communications Review

Ensure outward messaging matches your internal standards:

  • Event registration and media consent

  • Parent newsletters, school prospectus, and social media content

  • Clarity of communications around student data (e.g. at open evenings or performances)

4. Community & Charity Data Risk Review

Risk assessing how data is shared and how access procedures are maintained with:

  • Visiting authors, sports coaches, academic tutors,

  • Fundraisers and PTAs,

  • Local organisations and charities.

5. Governance for Shared Services or MATs

Support MATs or federations with:

  • Centralised policies that still allow for school-level differences

  • Consistent vendor vetting and DPIA processes

  • Risk ownership models: who’s responsible for what?

6. Trust Building Frameworks

Design ways to show families, students, and the public what your school is doing to protect data:

  • “Your Data, Our Promise” visual guides

  • Website transparency page

  • Annual data protection report for the community

7. AI & Automation Readiness

  • Assess readiness for AI tools (internal or external)

  • Flag legal and ethical considerations (e.g. automated marking, behaviour scoring)

  • Advise on rollout strategy or communication