Privacy Notice

1. Who we are

School Life Unpacked CIC is a community interest company registered in England and Wales. We produce educational media, podcasts and community content, and plan and deliver workshops, school film projects, online sessions, events and related programmes.

For UK data-protection law, School Life Unpacked CIC is normally the controller of the personal information described in this notice. In some school projects, a school or partner organisation may be the controller and we may act on its written instructions. Where that applies, its privacy information will also be relevant.

Questions or requests should be sent to privacy@schoollifeunpacked.co.uk.

2. Who this notice covers

This notice covers children and young people, parents and carers, podcast guests, programme and event participants, website visitors, newsletter subscribers, supporters, donors, schools, partner organisations, suppliers, freelancers, volunteers, directors and people who contact us.

3. Information we may collect

• Identity and contact details.
• A child’s name, age or age range, school and participation information where necessary.
• Parent, carer, school or authorised-adult details.
• Booking, registration, attendance and programme information.
• Signed participation, consent and media-release forms.
• Photographs, video, audio, interviews, podcast recordings and creative work.
• Website enquiries, correspondence, social-media messages, newsletter preferences and communication history.
• Payment, donation, invoice and transaction information, excluding full card details handled by payment providers.
• Supplier, funder, partner, freelancer and volunteer information.
• Technical information such as IP address, device or browser details, cookie choices and website usage.
• Accessibility, dietary, health or support information when needed and appropriate.
• Safeguarding concerns and related records, handled separately with additional protection.

4. How we obtain information

We may receive information directly from you; from a parent, carer, school or authorised organisation; through website forms, bookings, consent forms, events, emails and social media; through podcast and media participation; through payment, newsletter, website and analytics providers; or from public sources where lawful and appropriate.

5. Children’s information

When we work with children, we use clear, age-appropriate explanations. For filming, photography, interviews or podcasts, we require written permission from a parent or person with parental responsibility and seek the child’s own informed agreement. We will not record if either refuses, or if the child appears uncomfortable or withdraws agreement.

We minimise identifying information and avoid publishing a child’s full name together with their school, location or other details that could create risk, unless there is specific written authorisation and a documented safeguarding reason and assessment.

6. Why we use information and our lawful bases

Depending on the circumstances, we rely on consent, contract, legitimate interests, legal obligation or vital interests. Where special-category information is used, such as health, disability, ethnicity, religion or safeguarding information, we also identify an additional legal condition before using it.

7. What we use information for

• Responding to enquiries and communicating with people.
• Planning and delivering podcasts, workshops, programmes, filming, events and online sessions.
• Obtaining and managing participation and media permissions.
• Publishing agreed educational and promotional content.
• Processing bookings, payments, donations and invoices.
• Managing grants, partnerships, suppliers and governance.
• Protecting children and others, responding to concerns and keeping safeguarding records.
• Meeting legal, regulatory, insurance and accounting responsibilities.
• Maintaining website security and understanding website performance.
• Handling complaints, rights requests, incidents and legal claims.

8. Newsletters and marketing

We add people to newsletters or promotional-email lists only after a clear, active opt-in or where another lawful marketing rule applies. Every marketing email will offer an easy way to unsubscribe. Children must not independently join our mailing list.

9. Filming, photographs, podcasts and publication

Before participation, we explain what is being created, intended audiences and platforms, and how names or identifying details may be used. Signed agreements and permissions are stored securely. A request to withdraw consent will be considered promptly. Withdrawal cannot always remove material already lawfully published or incorporated into a completed production, but we will explain what is possible and take protective action where risk exists.

10. Website, cookies and external platforms

Our website may include contact links, podcast players and links to YouTube, Spotify and social-media services. Strictly necessary cookies may be used to make the website work. Optional analytics, advertising or embedded-media cookies will be handled in line with applicable consent requirements.

When a visitor follows an external link or plays embedded content, that platform may process information under its own privacy notice. We do not control those external services.

11. Payments and donations

Approved payment providers may process card or bank information. School Life Unpacked CIC does not intend to store full payment-card details. We may retain transaction references, amounts, dates and accounting records as required.

12. Who we may share information with

Where necessary and lawful, we may share limited information with:

• Schools, parents, carers and authorised partners.
• Website, hosting, email, storage, booking, newsletter, analytics and IT providers.
• Podcast, video, streaming and social-media platforms used for agreed publication.
• Payment processors, banks, accountants, insurers and professional advisers.
• Funders or commissioners where reporting is proportionate, preferably using anonymised or aggregated information.
• Children’s services, a LADO, police, health professionals, regulators, courts or other authorities where safeguarding, law or public protection requires it.

13. International transfers

Some technology and media providers may process information outside the UK. Where the law restricts a transfer, we will use an approved safeguard and additional protections where required.

14. How long we keep information

We keep information only for as long as needed for its purpose, legal duties, safeguarding, insurance and legal claims.

15. Security

We use proportionate organisational and technical measures, including access controls, password protection, secure storage, encryption where appropriate, limited access to safeguarding information, staff guidance, backups and incident procedures. Safeguarding information is kept separately from ordinary production files on a dedicated encrypted, password-protected external drive, with an encrypted backup in a separate secure location.

16. Your data-protection rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to:

• Ask for access to your personal information.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Ask us to delete or restrict information.
• Object to particular uses, including direct marketing.
• Receive certain information in a portable format.
• Withdraw consent without affecting earlier lawful use.
• Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Some rights have legal limits, particularly for safeguarding, legal duties or claims. Send requests to privacy@schoollifeunpacked.co.uk.

17. Complaints

Please contact privacy@schoollifeunpacked.co.uk first so we can investigate. You may also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

18. Changes to this notice

We will review this notice by 24 July 2027 and sooner when our activities, providers or legal duties change. Significant changes will be communicated where appropriate.