Across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral, schools receive requests from parents, pupils and staff — frequently at the least convenient point in the year, and often connected to an exclusion, a safeguarding concern or a complaint.
We support schools, trusts and other organisations across the city region with the full response, working remotely so that disruption to the school office is kept to a minimum.
SAR or educational record request?
In England, parents of pupils at maintained schools have a separate right under the Education (Pupil Information) (England) Regulations 2005 to see their child's educational record, within 15 school days. That right doesn't apply to academies in the same way, and it is distinct from a SAR.
A SAR belongs to the data subject — the pupil. A parent can make one on a child's behalf where the child isn't mature enough to understand their own rights, or where the child authorises it. Older pupils may make their own request, and their views about disclosure to a parent need to be considered.
The deadline doesn't stop for holidays
The one-month SAR clock keeps running through summer and half-term. Requests that arrive just before a holiday are a recurring problem for schools with nobody in the office. Planning cover for closures — or having an outsourced route ready — stops a missed deadline turning into a complaint.
If a request is genuinely complex, the deadline can be extended; our guide on extending a SAR deadline sets out when that's justified.
Safeguarding information
Pupil records often include safeguarding concerns, referrals and information from other agencies. Information can be withheld where disclosure would be likely to cause serious harm, and there are specific protections for child abuse data where a parent requests information about their child. These decisions should be made with the designated safeguarding lead and recorded carefully.
Sectors we support in the Liverpool City Region
Schools and academy trusts
Parent, pupil and staff requests, including those linked to exclusions and complaints.
Local authorities
Education, children's services and housing records across the six councils.
Healthcare
Patient and staff requests across hospital and community services.
Employers
Port, logistics, retail and service businesses handling employee SARs.
How we handle your SAR remotely
- Tell us about the request — the systems involved, the date range and your deadline. We confirm a fixed fee within 24 hours.
- Upload the documents to an encrypted, access-controlled workspace. Nothing is emailed.
- Our specialists review every item and redact third-party and exempt information, logging the legal basis for each decision.
- You receive a finished disclosure pack, covering letter and redaction schedule, ready to send.
Every case is quoted individually on the size and complexity of your dataset, and the fixed fee is agreed before any work begins.
Received a SAR in Liverpool?
Tell us the scope and your deadline, and we'll confirm a fixed fee within 24 hours. No commitment required.
Get Your Free SAR Assessment →or call 01244 261 379Frequently asked questions
Does the SAR deadline pause over school holidays?
No. The one-month deadline runs through holidays and closures, so schools need a plan for requests that arrive when the office is shut.
Can a parent make a SAR for their child?
Yes, where the child isn't mature enough to exercise the right themselves or has authorised the parent. For older pupils, the child's own views and best interests should be considered.
What's the difference between a SAR and an educational record request?
An educational record request is a parent's right, at maintained schools in England, to see their child's educational record within 15 school days. A SAR is the pupil's own data protection right, with a one-month deadline, and applies to all schools including academies.