ISBA BURSARCAST // Data, Images and Inspection Readiness: What Schools Need to Watch Now (22nd May 2026)

This week’s Bursarcast focuses on the compliance, safeguarding and financial planning developments most likely to affect independent school operations.We cover the new data protection complaints duty under the Data Use and Access Act, fresh guidance on protecting images of children from AI manipulation and abuse, and the latest pensions watchpoint following confirmation of the SCAPE discount rate at CPI plus 2%.We also flag practical inspection-readiness advice on keeping a live log, key policy signals from the King’s Speech, live consultations on children’s use of social media and antisemitism, and DfE updates on AI in education, flu vaccination planning, online misogyny resources and an urgent asbestos-related product safety alert.A focused update for bursars, heads, governors, COOs and senior teams tracking the issues that could shape compliance, safeguarding, finance and operational risk planning.Resources MentionedISBA Annual Conference 2026 presentation slides — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryProtecting images of children from AI manipulation and abuse guidance — available via the UK Online Harms Early Warning Working GroupISBA Taking, Storing and Using Images of Children Policy — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryICO guidance on data protection complaints — available via the ICOISBA data protection complaints guidance note and template complaints form — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryISBA external privacy notice template and updated Data Protection Policy — available in the ISBA Reference LibraryGovernment consultation: Growing up in the online world — available via GOV.UKDfE call for evidence: Tackling antisemitism in schools and colleges — available via GOV.UKDfE updated guidance on supporting immunisation programmes for children and young people — available via GOV.UKOPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls page — available via GOV.UKDfE AI in education support materials — available via GOV.UKUpdated National Minimum Standards for boarding schools and residential special schools — available via GOV.UKSubscribe & FollowNew episodes every Friday at 4pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.