IRIS
The Hollyfield School
IRIS Connect
At The Hollyfield School, we encourage our staff to continually look for ways to raise teaching standards and consequently improve outcomes for our students. To achieve this, we use IRIS Connect, a platform trusted by educators globally, giving teachers control over their own professional growth, building their confidence, and driving effective collaboration across our staff. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about IRIS Connect and how it is used at our school.
What is IRIS Connect and why is the school using it?
IRIS Connect is a video-based professional development tool designed to support teacher collaboration, reflection, and coaching. It is used exclusively to enhance teaching quality and classroom instruction.
Educational research consistently highlights video reflection as one of the most effective and powerful ways to enhance teaching practice, and is trusted and used by thousands of educators and educational institutions throughout the world. Based on this evidence, The Hollyfield School has made the decision to use IRIS Connect as a platform to make teaching across our school even better and ensure high quality instruction for all.
How is data secured, and does IRIS Connect comply with UK GDPR?
Although video is a powerful tool for accelerating teaching and learning, we know it’s vital that any students featured in a lesson recording are appropriately protected at all times. This is why IRIS Connect have built a system that’s rooted in data protection, privacy and safety and ensures outstanding security, compliant with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Encrypted audio and video are stored on secure servers with strict access controls, preventing unauthorised access, exporting, or downloads to personal devices. Reassuringly, it is the only video professional learning platform with a protocol agreed between the ASCL and NASUWT teaching unions. Further security information can be found here.
Who has access to the recordings?
Access is strictly controlled by the individual authorised teacher who recorded the lesson, alongside any specific internal colleagues they choose to invite for coaching. Recordings are hosted on secure servers and cannot be downloaded to personal devices, exported, or shared externally. Footage will never be uploaded to social media, the school website, or any public platform.
Where will the equipment be placed?
Equipment is positioned at the side, front, or rear of the classroom. While students may appear in the frame or be heard during whole-class teaching, the recording strictly focuses on the teacher and their instructional techniques, not on individual students.
Can recordings be used for pupil discipline or assessment?
No. Video footage is used strictly for teacher professional development and will never be used to assess, monitor, or discipline individual students.
How will the footage be used?
Lesson recordings are used strictly for professional development to support high-quality teaching across the school. Teachers use the footage for individual self-reflection to evaluate their own practice, as well as in small group coaching sessions to collaborate with colleagues and share effective teaching strategies.
How will students know when recording is taking place?
Teachers notify students whenever recording is active. To ensure students feel comfortable and informed, a dedicated assembly at the beginning of the school year will also explain the system to our students and its sole focus on teacher development.
How long are recordings stored?
Recordings are temporary reflection tools. They are stored on a secure server and erased once the coaching cycle is finished, typically within 30 days.
Do parents need to sign a consent form?
Formal consent forms are not required, as IRIS Connect is implemented under the school’s statutory duty to deliver quality education.
What if my child has specific privacy or safeguarding needs?
If your child has specific legal, safeguarding, or privacy requirements, please contact the Deputy Headteacher Ms Mitchell directly so discreet, appropriate arrangements can be made.