Schools can use CCTV, if it's justified
You can use CCTV as long as you have a ‘lawful basis’ to do so under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – this is set out by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Read our article about lawful basis under the UK GDPR for guidance on which one you can use.
If you’re planning to justify the use of CCTV cameras through the ‘public task’ basis, you won’t need consent to install CCTV. Read more about when you need to seek consent under the UK GDPR.
Remember that schools need to be registered with the ICO as a data controller whether you use CCTV or not.
If you're using CCTV for the first time, you need a DPIA
You'll need a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to:
Read our DPIA guidance and download