Corringham school apologises after sharing personal pupil data

The email contained information about pupils aged between Year 7 and Year 11

A school has apologised for sending an email to parents which listed the personal data of 69 pupils who were being disciplined for bad behaviour.

The principal at Ortu Gable Hall School in Corringham, Essex, said the email was sent by mistake and parents were asked to delete it.

The message included an attachment which contained information about free school meal eligibility and pupils' special educational needs (SEN) status.

One parent said she was "shocked".

The woman, who asked not to be named, told BBC Essex the information shared was "degrading" for the pupils identified.

"It's unfortunate for the poor children who have been named," said the parent, whose son at the school was not listed in the email.

'Devastated'

A member of staff sent out a daily notice to parents at 08:50 GMT on Wednesday but it included a behaviour incidents log attachment for Tuesday.

The names of 69 pupils relating to 74 incidents - aged between Year 7 and Year 11 - were included.

Children's pupil premium eligibility and SEN status was listed, as well as descriptions of the incidents and what action was taken.

A follow-up email at 09:11 contained the correct daily notice attachment and a third email sent at 09:14 told parents to delete the email immediately.

School principal Gary Lewis apologised to families "for any distress caused".

He told parents: "The member of staff responsible made a genuine mistake by sending to 'all parents' instead of 'all staff'.

"This was a complete accident and the member of staff is devastated by the situation and its effects on you all.

"We will now investigate their actions and look to take appropriate action to ensure such an incident is not repeated."

The school said it contacted the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) immediately to seek advice.

An ICO spokesperson said: "Ortu Gabel Hall School has made us aware of an incident and we will be assessing the information provided."