The key aspects of legislation, regulatory requirements and codes of practice relating to my own role and responsibilities include legislative requirements set out in the Equality Act 2010, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Education Act 2011, Data protection act 1998 and the most recent Data Protection bill 2017 with updated data protection laws for the digital age we live in.The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against pupils on grounds of disability, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment (or trans) status. These are referred to as ‘protected characteristics’.The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people at work as well as to protect others not at work against risks to health and safety arising out of, or in connection with, the activities of people at work. In a school or college, this will include the pupils and learners.

It encompasses time in the classroom and outings, educational or (maybe especially) fun activities.The Education Act 2011 changed school accountability, with more focused Ofsted inspections and wider powers to intervene in under-performing schools.The Data Protection Act 1998 controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government. Everyone responsible for using data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’.

They must make sure the information is used fairly and lawfully, for limited, specifically stated purposes, in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive, accurate, kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary, handled according to people’s data protection rights, kept safe and secure and not transferred outside the European Economic Area without adequate protection. The updated Data Protection Bill 2017 sets new standards for protecting general data, in accordance with the GDPR, giving people more control over use of their data, and providing them with new rights to move or delete personal data.