However, if parents have "strong objections" to using fingerprints andother biometric technology, schools should consider other methods suchas smart cards or ID cards.
The guidance has provoked anger from campaigners such as the Leave ThemKids Alone (LTKA) group who say biometric data has no benefits forpupils but leaves them vulnerable to identity theft.
While schools are told they "should normally" inform parents and involvethem in decisions to use biometric data, the guidance makes it clearthere is no legal requirement for schools to seek parental consent.
Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland, who has campaigned on the issue'said: "A school would never dream of taking children on a school tripwithout consent but collecting their fingerprints is not subject to thesame safeguards."
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