Parental Responsibility
Schools are required by law to have on record the name and address of EVERY person who is a parent of a pupil, whether they reside with the pupil or not. This will include anybody who has parental responsibility and anybody who has care of a pupil.
The following people will have parental responsibility.
- the mother
- the father if he was married to the child's mother when the child was born.
- the father if he was not married to the child's mother when the child was born but he now has a residence order.
- or he now has a court order which gives him parental responsibility
- or he now has a formal 'parental responsibility agreement' with mother
- orhe has since married the mother.
- a guardian of the child.
- someone who holds a custody or residence order.
- a local authority which has a care order.
- the holder of an Emergency Protection Order.
(parents will only lose 'parental responsibility' if the child is adopted.). If he/she is living with them the following people will be deemed to have care of a pupil:
- unmarried fathers who do not have one of the orders outlined in (c) above;
- step-parents;
- foster parents
- grandparents.
If there are others apart from yourself who fit into the above categories in relation to your child the school should be informed of their names and addresses.
It is important that you understand that the school is required by law to provide information and reports on the child's education to such people unless there is a court order denying them access to such information and reports.
If you are not happy that, for example, an estranged parent should have such access to information about your child you should take legal advice on the ways available to you to prevent it.
Please note also that there is extensive case law which affirms that one parent cannot change a child's name without the consent of the other.
