Separated Parents Policy

Last updated: 26th March 2025

1. Communication with separated parents

Wolsey Hall Oxford acknowledges the importance of separated parents collaborating to support their child's education and overall wellbeing. Research and experience have shown that separated parents can work well together in the best interests of their children and together can play a role in their children’s education. However, some parents become estranged and are unable to work together or in the best interests of their children. This policy outlines our communication practices and expectations in such situations

2. Legal framework

This policy has due regard to all relevant legislation and statutory guidance including, but not limited to, the following: 

  • Education Act 1996
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • General Data Protection Regulation
  • DfE (2023) ‘Keeping children safe in education 2023’
  • DfE (2023) ‘Understanding and Dealing with issues relating to parental responsibility’.
  • Children Act 1989

3. Communication with named contacts

  • Wolsey Hall Oxford’s agreement is made with the contact(s) who are named on the application form. Academic and administrative information will only be shared with the named contact(s) unless a different agreement is in place with Wolsey Hall.
  • We ask that separated parents who are both named contacts provide individual email addresses to Wolsey Hall Oxford.
  • If only one parent is listed and the other seeks access or information, we will notify the named contact and ask them if they give permission for the second person to be added as a named contact. We will also ask them to confirm that no Court Order prevents sharing information. For the avoidance of doubt, we will seek written confirmation of these matters from the named contact person on the application form. Proof of identity of the non-named parent will always be required in these cases.

4. Changes in family circumstances

Parents are encouraged to inform us promptly of any changes in family circumstances.

5. Communication with both parents

When the application for enrolment is completed by separated parents who are both named on the form, we will communicate in the following way to ensure that clear and transparent communication regarding a child’s progress is received by both parties:

  • Emails from Wolsey Hall Oxford regarding a student’s course progress will be sent to both named contacts, using the bcc function to limit sharing of sensitive data.
  • If emails are received from one parent related to the progress of their child, the other named contact will be sent the reply from Wolsey Hall Oxford in a separate email so that both named contacts have the same information.
  • We recognise the sensitivity of certain situations, and we seek to maintain the level of confidentiality requested by parents as far as possible in line with our safeguarding responsibilities.
  • We recognise that a Court Order can restrict a parent in having contact/access to information and we may be bound by this. In this situation we may consult with the relevant authorities to obtain advice if there is a safeguarding concern.

6. Parental responsibilities

  • We expect that named contacts on the application form, who are separated, whatever the nature of their separation, will do all they can to communicate with each other and share information from Wolsey Hall Oxford, for the benefit of their child.
  • Separated parents are expected to communicate directly with each other on decisions such as their child’s course choices and re-enrolments and to inform Wolsey Hall Oxford of agreed outcomes. Wolsey Hall is not able to take a mediator role in such circumstances.
  • Parents are encouraged to resolve any issues around estrangement, contact and access to information without involving Wolsey Hall Oxford directly. Issues of estrangement are civil/private law matters, and Wolsey Hall Oxford cannot be involved in providing mediation, helping an estranged parent to communicate with their child or children, or using Wolsey Hall communication channels for purposes of contact.
  • We request that parents coordinate with each other to attend Admissions calls, the Welcome and Review meetings with their Student Progress Manager and Tutors together. Alternatively, parents may decide who will attend alongside the child and ensure the information is shared by them with the other named contact afterwards. Please note that Wolsey Hall Oxford is unable to schedule duplicate Welcome and Review Calls with Student Progress Managers and Tutors. If parents cannot reach agreement, priority is given to the household in which the student resides at the 
    time of the meeting.

7. Legal and safeguarding considerations

  • Wolsey Hall Oxford will comply with valid Court Orders, of which we are made aware, restricting contact or access to information. A solicitor’s letter alone is insufficient.
  • If a Court Order is received by Wolsey Hall Oxford, and is linked to a student who has both parents named on their record, we may consult relevant authorities for safeguarding advice. Without a Court Order, both parents who are named contacts have equal rights regarding communication.

By adhering to these guidelines, Wolsey Hall Oxford ensures clear, consistent communication while prioritising the child’s educational needs and wellbeing.

8. Information sharing

  • Information sharing will always be guided by the best interests of the student. Wolsey Hall will collaborate closely with relevant authorities, as required, to determine the appropriate course of action if there is reason to believe that sharing information with a parent could increase the risk of harm to the child.
  • Wolsey Hall Oxford will balance parental requests with its legal obligations —having parental responsibility does not grant a parent the right to obstruct Wolsey Hall Oxford from fulfilling its terms of service.
  • In accordance with the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, children and young adults gain control over their personal information and can restrict access to it from the age of 13.
  • However, parents retain the right to request access to or a copy of their child’s educational record, even if the child does not consent to this, up until the age of 18.
  • A parent is not entitled to access information that Wolsey Hall Oxford would not lawfully disclose to the child under the GDPR or that the child themselves would not have the right to access.
  • The school does not require consent from the parent with whom the child resides to record the non-resident parent’s contact details.

Management of this policy

The Heads of School and Designated Safeguarding Leads will familiarise themselves with this policy and ensure all Staff of Wolsey Hall Oxford are aware of the procedures to follow should the need occur.

For any concerns or queries regarding this policy, please contact our Safeguarding Lead via email safeguarding@wolseyhalloxford.org.uk