About this notice

This privacy notice explains how York Castle High School collects, uses, and protects personal information when you use our website, apply for admission, communicate with us, or take part in school activities. We handle personal information in line with the Jamaican Data Protection Act and good practice in education.

Information we collect

• Contact details for students, parents, and staff such as name, address, phone, and email.
• Admission and enrolment information such as date of birth, previous school, recommended subjects, and assessment results.
• Academic and attendance records including timetables, coursework, grades, conduct notes, and attendance marks.
• Pastoral and safeguarding information where relevant such as health alerts provided to us, support plans, or referrals.
• Financial and payment information for fees, trips, or events processed through a trusted provider. Card details are not stored by us.
• Technology and site usage data such as device type, pages viewed, and actions taken. This may be collected through cookies or similar tools.
• Campus images and CCTV recordings for safety and security when you are on school property.

How we use information

• To deliver education, pastoral care, and co curricular activities.
• To manage admissions, timetabling, examinations, and reporting.
• To keep our community safe and meet safeguarding duties.
• To communicate with parents, students, alumni, and staff.
• To administer trips, events, and extracurricular programmes.
• To operate our website, learning platforms, and school systems.
• To meet legal duties such as accounting, audits, and regulatory reporting.

Legal bases we rely on

We rely on one or more of the following, depending on the activity: performance of a contract, public task in providing education, legitimate interests in running a safe and effective school, consent where required, vital interests, and legal obligations.

Cookies

We use essential cookies to make the site work and optional analytics cookies to understand site use. You can manage optional cookies with the control below at any time. Your choice will not affect essential cookies that are needed for core functions.

Sharing information

We share information with trusted service providers who help us operate the school, for example learning platforms, payment processors, IT support, transport providers, and event partners. We also share information when required with the Ministry of Education and Youth and with examination bodies such as CXC when students sit examinations. These recipients must keep your information secure and use it only to deliver their service or meet legal duties.

International transfers

Some providers may process data in other countries. When this happens we take reasonable steps to ensure suitable protections are in place.

Security

We use safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to prevent unauthorised access or misuse.

Retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes set out in this notice and to meet legal or accounting requirements. Student records are kept in line with our retention schedule and then deleted or archived safely.

Your rights

Under the Jamaican Data Protection Act you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, and to object to certain uses. You can also withdraw consent where we rely on consent. You may complain to the Office of the Information Commissioner if you believe your rights have been infringed.

Children and consent

Where consent is required for a child we will ask a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians who believe a child has given us personal information without consent should contact us so we can remove it.

Photos, video, and CCTV

The school may capture photos or video at events and on campus for learning, record keeping, and to celebrate achievements. If you prefer not to appear please tell us and we will respect your preference. CCTV is used for safety and security and is retained for a limited period unless required for an investigation.

Updates to this notice

We may update this notice to reflect changes in our services or the law. The updated version will be shown here with a new effective date.

Contact us

For privacy questions or requests please contact our Data Protection Lead at yorkcastle.high.san@moey.gov.jm or the school office at +1 876 975 2217 or +1 876 975 2221. Fax: +1 876 917 6387. You may also use the Contact page on this website.