Privacy Policy

Wells Academy of Theatrical Arts General Data Protection Regulations 2018 In accordance with the GPDR Statement. GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation and replaces the previous Data Protection. It was approved by the EU Parliament in 2016 and came into effect on 25th May 2018. GDPR states that personal data should be ‘processed fairly & lawfully’ and ‘collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes’ and that individuals data is not processed without their knowledge and are only processed with their ‘explicit’ consent. GDPR covers personal data relating to individuals. The Wells Academy of Theatrical Arts (WATA) is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals with respect to the processing of children’s, parents, visitors and staff personal data. The Data Protection Act gives individuals the right to know what information is held about them. It provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly. What we do at The Wells Academy of Theatrical Arts (WATA) We do not disclose (other than to Official Examination bodies such as Trinity for examination purposes) or sell personal data to third parties. In accordance to our legal obligations we may share information with local authorities eg: safe guarding concerns. We have our own Safeguarding officer at WATA. We may need to share information in an emergency situation, for example, ambulance service should we need to call them on your behalf. We do not disclose personal data to other members of the School and their families. The School uses contact numbers and emails for communication with and updates to parents, whole school and individual communication, invoices and general information. Emergency Parent contact numbers are given to WATA for the use of emergency contact & for contact in respect of WATA business only. Personal data is stored in a locked password protected computer database. Hard copy information is destroyed via a shredding device when the students leaves the Academy. Information about individual children is used in certain documents, such as, a weekly register, medication information, show & examination documentation. These documents include data such as children’s names, date of birth and emergency contact numbers. We may take photographs or make videos at WATA events such as class and shows to use on our WATA Website, social media page and for marketing purposes. We may continue to use these photographs and videos after your child has left the school. Access to the School Email account, Website, Personal Data, Social Media Accounts and Examination Details is password protected and is not available to members of the Public. Members of staff who run Private tuition are given the email address to contact you but only of those who take part. Mini Movers and Twinkle Tots information is also kept by Class 4 Schools class management service who have also shared their policy with you. GDPR includes 7 rights for individuals 1) The right to be informed The School collects parent’s and or guardian’s names, addresses, emergency telephone numbers, medical information and email addresses. As an Employer of Self Employed practitioner, WATA is required to hold data on its Teachers such as names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers and bank details. Information such as Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS), personal Public Liability insurance, ISTD Membership details. 2) The right of access At any point an individual can make a request relating to their data and WATA will need to provide a response (within 1 month). WATA can refuse a request if we have a lawful obligation to retain data but we will inform the individual of the reasons for the rejection. 3) The right to erasure You have the right to request the deletion of your data where there is no compelling reason for its continued use. However, WATA has a legal duty to keep student and parents details for a reasonable time*. WATA retain any records relating to student’s accident and injury records for 19 years (or until the child reaches 21 years), and 22 years (or until the child reaches 24 years) for Child Protection records. Self Employed Teaching records will be erased when the member of staff leaves their position. All hard copy information is destroyed via a shredding device. * WATA holds personal data while the student is registered at the School. Once the student leaves data will be erased. 4) The right to restrict processing Parents, visitors and staff can object to WATA processing their data. This means that records can be stored but must not be used in any way, for example School Communications, General Emails about School news and updates. In this situation, The School has no obligation to refund any classes missed or cancelled due to ‘lack of communication’. It will be the parent’s responsibility to ensure they are informed about any event’s happening at the School. 5) The right to data portability WATA requires data, for example registration forms to be transferred from student, to teacher, to School Principal. The School is also required to provide data such as student DOB and exam pin number’s to be able to enter students in London Trintiy Exams. In this case recipients use secure file transfer systems and have their own policies and procedures in place in relation to GDPR. 6) The right to object Parents, visitors and staff can object to their data being used for certain activities like marketing or research. 7) The right not to be subject to automated decision-making including profiling. Automated decisions and profiling are used for marketing-based organisations. WATA does not use personal data for such purposes. This Policy was issued by Penelope Lambert Principal Wells Academy of Theatrical Arts The Drama Barn WELLS BA5 2DS Policy review date: September 2025