Who We Are

The School Archives & Records Association (SARA) is a user-led network supporting those working with school archive collections. The group includes librarians, teachers, support staff, volunteers and retired staff as well as professionally trained archivists.

• Membership: how to join. There are currently around 450 members. Most are in the UK – in state and independent schools – alongside a small and growing overseas membership. There is no charge for SARA membership, but you need to register with the Membership administrator.
• Post a question. Members can raise questions and join discussion threads by using the site's Discussion Forum.
• Organisation. The Association is steered by a committee of nine archivists, a Chairman, a Secretary and a lifetime President (see Organisation & Contact). Members can also seek the support of a Mentor.
• Activities. SARA holds an annual summer conference (usually at a member school) and supports small regional meetings and training events. To register your attendance at conference or event, download a booking form.
• Information and resources. Each year resources created for the annual conference and documents addressing professional changes in archive practice are added to the website. This library of information is a helpful aid on a variety of topics spanning GDPR and conservation, to volunteer management and funding applications. The site also contains a list of useful Links.
• Formal guidance on School Archives and GDPR. In February 2021 SARA published jointly with the Independent School Bursars Association (ISBA) a major guidance document on ‘Protection of school archives under GDPR: Principles and Practice for Archivists and Bursars’. This document (along with a blog and magazine article) is now the starting point when a school reviews compliance with the data protection legislation of its work in managing school records and preserving archives permanently.