Data protection gone mad?!

Hi everyone!
Hope you're all well and good.
I wonder if anyone would be good enough to answer a question for us please?
Just curious to know if a NRP is allowed under data protection laws etc to approach his 17yr old's college, to check that the 17yr old is doing a) the course she says and b) is doing the hours she says?
You might ask - why doesn't he ask the 17yr old direct? Answer is, he has and received an answer that sounds like it could be adequate and true but can't press her any further. NRP's relationship with 17yr old is fine at the moment and he doesn't want to rock the boat, because basically would sound like he doesn't believe her (there is good reason, but we won't go into that!)
NRP's agreement was via court order for child maintenance a long time ago, no CSA. No need (or want) for any court intervention since the divorce.
Curiousity arises as surely other NRP's might be in the same situation - ie: paying blindly each month for until who knows when.
Any practical information would be gratefully received. Many thanks indeed x

As I understand it, a school is obliged to keep BOTH parents, regardless of whether they are divorced or not, informed of their child's progress etc...I understand this is your statutory right.

I would contact the school and remind them of their obligations to you, if they say, 'sorry your child isn't registered with us', then you have your answer...

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated! xxx

The data protection laws as I understand them are there to protect personal information a company or organisation may hold on you, as such you can only request personal information under the data protection act.
Your post seems to be about 1 parent continuing to receive maintenance when no longer entitled to it, wouldn't this be fraud ?

Ooh la la! Wouldn't it just?!
Was just wondering amongst secure and relatively anonymous surroundings here (as opposed to out loud to the ex-wife and daughter!!)
Interesting though - I bet it has happened before whereby NRP's have paid on for education that hasn't necessarily been taken, on the belief of the ex and/or child.
We totally don't want to rock what's been a turbulant boat, but is in steady waters at the moment. So we shan't do anything, will just take the word of his daughter.
For now.........!
Nice to chat, thanks x

Hi there

If the child is at school the school have an obligation to keep both parents informed, unless the child, once he or she attains the age of 18 tells the school they are no longer entitled to divulge any information.

College is different - from 16 the child can sign on without parental consent and no information would be divulged with the sayso of the child.

Amanda

Hi Amanda

Do you mean - without the say so of the child?

My partner is in very similar situation - son 18 next - his x2b has said on her form E that he will be continuing in Full Time Ed but when he looked at the College website he is attending there is only 1 brickwork course he can possibly be doing and that is an apprentiship where he will be work based and in College for 1 day as he completed the school leavers Foundation Course last year. Whilst he is more than happy to support his son he is only happy to support thru the CSA if his son is in Full Time Ed - if he is on an apprentiship then he will support him directly.

He is going to phone the College tomorrow to see what he can find out - any ideas as to what he can do if they won't give out the info?

For reasons that you may havepicked up in previous posts it is not possible at the moment to ask his son personally about this due to his x's behaviour.

Thanks

Ness