This is really a carry over from a concern I raised on a different thread and I would be really interested in teacher's veiws to see if I am being overly concerned about something.

There is a Big Double Reed Event being held in London and I downloaded the application form. The form asked for my teacher's name, email address and phone number. I thought thsi was a bit strange as I wasn't really sure what it would be used for.

I obviously would need to ask permission from my teacher before including these details because giving out someone else's phone number and email without them agreeing to it is just wrong (sorry to be blunt, but it is!) but I wasn't really sure what I would be asking them to agree with. So I emailed the organiser who gave me a very prompt but rather wishy washy reply suggesting it was no big deal. Another response on the thread has also suggested that I am worrying about nothing. So maybe I am, but I really do believe that it is up to my teacher who her details go to, and not me and I haven't been given any good reason why they should have them.

Reasons given so far are:
1. We email teachers about the day in case they don't know - this assumes details have been sent without permission.
2. We ask if they have any other students who may want to go - ditto above but assuming teacher wouldn't have thought of it already.
3. You may end up in same master class as teacher - but if teacher and pupil both going will probably have sorted this out before hand.


What do you think?

I'm with you on this one.
As for number 3 if your teacher was running one of the Master Classes they would have already told you and you could note it on the form or attach a note.

I should also add that it has been suggested that it is standard practice to be asked for this details when applying for events which is why I started a separate thread. I don't want to focus on this particular event - it just happened to raise the issue for me.

With teacher hat on, I wouldn't be happy about people giving my details in such a way without asking first, whatever the reason. It sounds like I'd be signing up to receive yet more marketing stuff.

Not just me then. That's quite a relief. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I think all they probably need to do is amend the form slightly so that.
1. it's clear that this section is voluntary
2. they say what the info will be used for (marketing/ mailing list/ arrangement of classes (?))
3. they give an opt out box for mailing lists (shouldn't they do that anyway?)
4. they make a statement that permission should be sought before including details

I don't know if anyone knows about the Data Protection Act but I would have thought they would be on very shaky ground if they contacted anyone using data that had been obtained without permission. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

It would be interesting to know how other events ask for this data.

As I said in the other thread, I wouldn't have thought twice about it if they were just asking for my own details, but I feel very uncomfortable indeed about supplying someone else's details so that I can attend something. And being nearly 40 years old myself, it just feels like an odd thing to be asked to do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

It does seem odd, and I don't think it's just you!

It probably is a marketing ploy, and as such I find the idea extremely annoying!
Yes, I think there should be an opt-out box.

Hmm I had a form like this once for an event my daughter was attending. I merely put a line through it and wrote "Private and Confidential" or you can invent (mis) information (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I would not be happy either.

As others have pointed out - I'd most likely know if a pupil of mine was attending and if I'd wanted to go would have applied myself. If I didn't, as far as I'm concerned they have no right to my data and I suspect under the Data Protection Act they should not be asking for this information.

Under schedule 2 of the act "The data subject (the person whose data is stored) has consented ("given their permission") to the processing;"
Unless you ask your teacher's permission, consent has not been given and therefore providing such information is contrary to the Act.

We have been asked for teachers details for funding applications which I have always supplied. This is only because I will have asked them in advance if they were happy to give daughter a reference for whatever it was.

I can't remember being asked anything other than the teachers name when daughter has participated in courses. I've always stated who her teacher is as I've assumed there is some point to the question. I wouldn't pass on any other details without asking in advance.

You're right to object. I'll wear my work hat here (IT).

The request is out-of-order and in breach as noted above of the Data Protection Act. The owner of the data (i.e. the teacher) has to give their permission for its collection and use and have to state to what purpsoe it will be used.

Even if it were not definitely out of order for the reasons given above I think it would be very impolite to give other people's contacts out without first asking them. I have a list of contact numbers and email addresses that I give to parents each year so that they can contact each other about swapping lessons if someone is ill etc. But I get their permission before I put their names on the list and not everyone gives permission - or some will say phone is OK but not email.