ABOUT Google Workspace for Education
In years 3, 4, 5 and 6 we use Google Workspace (GWS) for Education - a set of education productivity tools from Google including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Classroom, and more. It is used by millions of students and teachers around the world. Pupils will use their GWS accounts to complete assignments, collaborate with their teachers, and learn 21st century digital citizenship skills.
We use a special version of the GWS apps to provide a secure learning environment for our pupils and staff. Children use their own individual logins to access a range of Google tools securely. With school Gmail and Google Docs, for example, work and emails cannot be shared with external email accounts, only with others within @westdene.uk - the school’s domain. N.B. that Gmail is not currently activated for any year groups.
No apps contained in the additional Google services will be turned on without first gaining parental or guardian consent. This includes apps such as YouTube, that require the user to be at least 13 years old to hold an account.
Google require basic information to set up GWS accounts, your child’s year group and name. We limit the amount of personal data that is held within the system to the bare minimum.
G Suite in 'the cloud' contains the electronic work that your child completes in school. By logging in at home, using the same login details as at school, your child can continue working on projects and assignments started in school.
Pupil accounts have a particular set of security settings to reflect the fact that the system is being used by a child - they have a much higher security setting than our staff for example. We take advice on these settings from companies that advise us, including London Grid for Learning, Google and the Department of Education.
Google accounts are deleted within a few weeks of a child leaving Westdene so data is not kept for longer than it is needed.
G Suite & GDPR
How G Suite for Education protects teacher and student privacy
G Suite Privacy Policy
The information below from Google provides answers to common questions about what they can and can’t do with your child’s personal information, including:
- What personal information does Google collect?
- How does Google use this information?
- Will Google disclose my child’s personal information?
- Does Google use student personal information for users in primary - secondary schools to target advertising?
- Can my child share information with others using the G Suite for Education account?
G Suite for Education information for Parents and Guardians
This notice describes the personal information we provide to Google for these accounts and how Google collects, uses, and discloses personal information from pupils in connection with these accounts.
Using their GWS Education accounts, pupils may access and use the following “Core Services” offered by Google (described at https://workspace.google.com/terms/user_features.html):
- Gmail
- Calendar
- Chrome Sync
- Classroom
- Cloud Search
- Contacts
- Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms
- Drive
- Groups
- Jamboard
- Keep
- Sites
Google provides information about the information it collects, as well as how it uses and discloses the information it collects from GWS Education accounts in its GWS for Education Privacy Notice. You can read that notice online at https://workspace.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html You should review this information in its entirety, but below are answers to some common questions:
What personal information does Google collect?
When creating a pupil account, we provide Google with certain personal information about our pupils, including, for example, a name, email address, and password. Google may also collect a profile photo added to the G Suite for Education account (if the user has uploaded one).
When a pupil uses Google services, Google also collects information based on the use of those services. This includes:
- device information, such as the hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including a phone number;
- log information, including details of how a user used Google services, device event information, and the user's Internet protocol (IP) address;
- location information, as determined by various technologies including IP address, GPS, and other sensors;
- unique application numbers, such as application version number; and
- cookies or similar technologies which are used to collect and store information about a browser or device, such as preferred language and other settings.
How does Google use this information?
In G Suite for Education Core Services, Google uses student personal information to provide, maintain, and protect the services. Google does not serve ads in the Core Services or use personal information collected in the Core Services for advertising purposes.
Does Google use student personal information for users in primary schools to target advertising?
No. For G Suite for Education users in primary and secondary schools, Google does not use any user personal information (or any information associated with a G Suite for Education Account) to target ads, whether in Core Services or in other Additional Services accessed while using an G Suite for Education account.
Can my child share information with others using the G Suite for Education account?
We allow pupils to access Google services such as Google Docs and Sites, which include features where users can share information with others within our @westdene.uk domain here at Westdene Primary School.
Will Google disclose my child’s personal information?
Google will not share personal information with companies, organisations and individuals outside of Google unless one of the following circumstances applies:
- With parental or guardian consent. Google will share personal information with companies, organisations or individuals outside of Google when it has parents’ consent which may be obtained through G Suite for Education schools - including Westdene Primary School's. We would contact parents directly if Google ask for any examples of children's work etc.
- With Westdene Primary School GWS Education accounts, because they are school-managed accounts, give administrators access to information stored in them.
- For external processing. Google may provide personal information to affiliates or other trusted businesses or persons to process it for Google, based on Google’s instructions and in compliance with the G Suite for Education privacy notice and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.
- For legal reasons. Google will share personal information with companies, organisations or individuals outside of Google if it has a good-faith belief that access, use, preservation or disclosure of the information is reasonably necessary to:
- meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process or enforceable governmental request.
- enforce applicable Terms of Service, including investigation of potential violations.
- detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues.
- protect against harm to the rights, property or safety of Google, Google users or the public as required or permitted by law.
Google also shares non-personal information -- such as trends about the use of its services -- publicly and with its partners.
What if I have more questions or would like to read further?
If you have questions about our use of Google’s G Suite for Education accounts or the choices available to you, please contact the school office vis email office@westdene.brighton-hove.sch.uk
If you want to learn more about how Google collects, uses, and discloses personal information to provide services to us, please review the G Suite for Education Privacy Center, the G Suite for Education Privacy Notice, and the Google Privacy Policy.
The Core G Suite for Education services are provided to us under Google’s Apps for Education agreement.