Privacy Policy

At Annie Walsh Memorial School, we value the privacy and protection of the personal data of our students, parents, staff, and other stakeholders. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in compliance with Sierra Leone’s data protection laws and international best practices.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Student Information: Name, date of birth, gender, contact details, health information, academic records, attendance, and other relevant details for the purpose of providing education.
  • Parent/Guardian Information: Name, contact details, relationship to the student, and other information needed for communication and administrative purposes.
  • Staff Information: Name, contact details, job title, salary, employment history, academic qualifications, and other information relevant to employment.
  • Visitor Information: Name, contact details, and reason for visiting the school.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the collected information for the following purposes:

  • To provide educational services and support to students.
  • To manage school operations, including communication with parents, students, and staff.
  • To ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
  • To process applications for admission and employment.
  • To comply with legal, regulatory, and administrative requirements.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We are committed to safeguarding your personal data. We implement appropriate physical, technical, and administrative measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. Access to personal data is limited to authorized staff who need it to perform their duties.

In line with Sierra Leone’s Data Protection and Privacy Bill (once enacted) and the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act, we are dedicated to adhering to the principles of data protection, including ensuring that personal data is:

  • Processed fairly, lawfully, and transparently.
  • Collected for specified, legitimate purposes and not further processed.
  • Accurate and kept up to date.
  • Kept in a form that allows identification of individuals for no longer than necessary.

4. Data Retention

We will retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligations. Once personal data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized in compliance with Sierra Leone’s data protection standards.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal data to third parties. However, we may share personal information in the following circumstances:

  • With government or regulatory authorities where required by law or in response to a legal request.
  • With service providers who assist us in delivering services (e.g., IT support, educational tools, health services), but only to the extent necessary and under confidentiality agreements.
  • With law enforcement or legal bodies in the case of a serious safety concern or legal requirement.

6. Your Rights

As a data subject, you have the following rights under Sierra Leone’s emerging data protection laws, as well as international privacy standards:

  • Access: You have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you or your child.
  • Correction: You can request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal or operational limitations.
  • Objection: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the contact information provided below.

7. Cookies and Online Tracking

We may use cookies on our website to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small files that are stored on your device and help us track and analyze your usage of our website. If you do not wish to accept cookies, you can adjust your browser settings accordingly. However, please note that some parts of our website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

8. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page, and the updated policy will indicate the date of revision. We encourage you to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal data.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us:

Annie Walsh Memorial School
Address: Kissy Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Phone: +232 99 970669