"Extracts of the data from the NPD can be shared (under strict terms and conditions) with named bodies and third parties who, for the purpose of promoting the education or wellbeing of children in England, are:
• Conducting research or analysis;
• Producing statistics; or
• Providing information, advice or guidance."
"The [Department of Education] wants to encourage more third parties to use the data for these purposes and produce secondary analyses of the data. Interested parties can now request extracts of data from the NPD using an improved application process accessed through the department’s website..."
The National Pupil Database: user guide
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They have pointed out to the Department of Education, despite its proclamations to the contrary, that identifiable personal data is passed to commercial third parties and press without informed consent.
As if that was not bad enough, they have said that this is done without sufficient criminal record checks of the persons receiving the data and with no regard at all to any other persons who might have access to the data thereafter. In other words, once unleashed into the `wild` there is no accountability.
In their written evidence they have urged the DfE to be transparent about its policies and practices.
Big data uses must assess privacy risks, and measure the benefits of data use, set against the burden of collection, storage and sharing. As regards ‘big pupil data’ specifically in the National Pupil Database, "collect it all", is neither a strategy nor solution. The DfE current policies and practices place the burden of risk of Big Data on our children, without measured benefit.
December 2015
http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-and-technology-committee/big-data-dilemma/written/25380.pdf
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