Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Monday, 20 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 November 2000. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Friday, 24 November 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what right of access parents have to school records concerning their child.

Answer: Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what right of access parents have to school records concerning their child. [139761] Jacqui Smith: Parents of children in maintained schools are entitled to see their child's educational record, free of charge, within 15 school days of making a written request. They are similarly entitled to receive a copy at no greater cost than that of supplying it. In both cases, the Data Protection Act 1998 prevents disclosure of some material--for example, that which would be likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health or emotional condition of the pupil or someone else.

Secondary information