This session provides a clear and practical introduction to both Subject Access Requests (SARs) and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. It is designed to help school staff confidently recognise, distinguish, and respond to these requests in line with legal requirements.

By covering both regimes together, the session ensures participants understand the key differences, avoid common pitfalls, and handle requests appropriately from the outset.

What this course contains

The course introduces the fundamentals of SARs and FOI requests, focusing on:

• What Subject Access Requests (SARs) are and who can make them.
• What Freedom of Information (FOI) requests are and how they differ from SARs.
• The rights individuals have under UK GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• How to recognise requests in practice - including when they are mislabelled.
• Key timescales and procedural requirements for both SARs and FOIs.
• Handling requests from third parties, including solicitors and representatives.
• What constitutes personal data and where it may be held (including personal devices).
• Practical considerations when receiving, clarifying, and responding to requests.
• Common scenarios and pitfalls, supported by interactive examples.

Intended outcomes:

By the end of the session, participants will:

1. Understand the purpose and scope of both SARs and FOI requests.
2. Be able to recognise and correctly categorise requests when they are received.
3. Know the key legal requirements, including timescales and handling processes.
4. Gain confidence in responding to requests appropriately and avoiding common mistakes.

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