All 'parents' have the right to access their child's educational record
This is based on the Education (Pupil Information) Regulations 2005 for maintained schools (sections 5.1 to 5.3). The regulations also explain that:
- Following a parent’s written request, you must let them inspect the record or provide a copy of it
- You must do this within 15 school days
The DfE's definition of 'parent' includes:
- All biological parents
- Any person with parental responsibility for a child (such as an adoptive parent, step-parent, guardian or other relative)
- Any person who has care of a child (even if they're not biological parents or don't have parental responsibility)
If you're an academy, these regulations don't apply to your school. It's up to you to decide whether to grant parents access to the record, unless they make a subject access request
