Legal requirement
Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring publicly funded institutions to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.
What is a publication scheme?
A publication scheme is a document which describes the information that Hertford Regional College publishes, or intends to publish. These descriptions are called ‘classes of information’. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however our commitment to make available the information described.
Accessing information covered by the publication scheme
The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme. Next to each class we have indicated the manner in which the information described will be available. We have also indicated whether charges apply to material in each class.
Please note that a publication scheme relates to ‘published’ information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.
What about information not covered by the publication scheme?
From 1 January 2005 you will have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by Hertford Regional College which it has not already made available through its publication scheme.
Requests will have to be made in writing and we will respond within 20 working days. We will charge a fee for this service, which will have to be calculated according to Fees Regulations. We are not required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies. However, we will explain to the applicant why we are not releasing information.
Feedback
It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Data Protection Officer below.
Olive Oliver
Hertford Regional College
London Road
Ware
Herts
SG12 9JF
If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act.
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Further Information
More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner’s website at: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
The Publication Scheme
‘Subject Access’ Requests
Any individual who has a relationship with Hertford Regional College is entitled to request a copy of the information the College holds about them. To make an initial request, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The College may need to charge for certain types of information but we will notify you in advance where this is applicable.
You can read more about Subject Access requests on the ICO web site: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/schools/pupils-info/
