Learning research: privacy notice

Data we collect

The data collected and processed by the Scottish Government will be on both children and young people being educated in Scotland’s schools and staff working within these schools.  The majority of the research data we collect will be through contractors that are appointed to conduct research in schools or local authorities. In addition, we may link data to statistical collections undertaken by Education Analytical Services and further details are contained in their privacy notice. We will inform individuals and organisations who are giving us data when this is the case

The research studies will involve processing data which may make it possible to identify individuals taking part in the study.

For the purposes of identifying and inviting participants to take part in the research, it will be necessary for the contractors to hold a contact list of potential participants. Personal data in this list will include: name, contact email address, telephone number.

Participants in these studies will include: Representatives from Higher Education Institutions, Education Scotland, Regional Improvement Collaboratives, Local Authorities and Schools. Data will also be collected from educational practitioners, parents and pupils. The information on these participants that will be processed may include:

• Gender
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Ethnicity
• Home postcode
• Pupil Scottish Candidate Number (SCN)
• Attainment and Achievement outcomes
• The results of academic assessments conducted in individual research studies
• Job title, working pattern and place of work
• Health and wellbeing information
• Children’s behaviours and activity
• Parental occupation, level of education

In addition, participants are likely to be asked about their attitude in relation to different aspects of schooling and the education system. The combination of this data with various demographic information may make it possible to reveal the identity of the individual. The nature and methodology involved in processing this data will be specific to each research study.