This follows from new provisions in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 requiring all schools and colleges to notify the parents of pupils under 18 where they intend to use their child’s biometric data as part of an automated biometric recognition system.
As long as the child does not object and no parent objects in writing, the consent of only one parent will be required.
The provisions also provide that a pupil of any age may object or refuse to participate in an automated biometric recognition system even where their parents have given their consent.
Where a parent has refused consent or a pupil has refused to participate, the school or college must provide reasonable alternative arrangements to the biometric system.
The consultation can be found on the DfE’s consultations page.
