General Chat

In the paper today
The privacy watchdog says authorities that have banned parents taking shots for the family album are wrongly interpreting the rules.
Relatives wanting to take pictures at nativity plays, sports days or other public events are often told that doing so would breach the Data Protection Act.
Snap happy: Parents can take photos of school sports day

But the Office of the Information Commissioner has said this interpretation of the law is simply wrong.
It decreed that any picture taken for the family photograph album would normally be acceptable.
This guidance can now be used by parents and grandparents to challenge 'barmy' rulings relating to the upcoming school sports day season.
Deputy Information Commissioner David Smith said: 'We recognise that parents want to capture significant moments on camera.
'We want to reassure them and other family members that whatever they might be told, data protection does not prevent them taking photographs of their children and friends at school events.
'Photographs taken for the family photo album are exempt from the Act and citing the Data Protection Act to stop people taking photos or filming their children at school is wrong.'
The guidance, sent to education authorities across the country, says: 'Fear of breaching the provisions of the Act should not be wrongly used to stop people taking photographs or videos which provide many with much pleasure.
'Where the Act does apply, a common sense approach suggests that if the photographer asks for permission to take a photograph, this will usually be enough to ensure compliance.'
Specific examples of what is allowed includes a parent taking 'a photograph of their child and some friends taking part in the school sports day to be put in the family photo album'.
The video recording of school nativity plays is also listed as being acceptable.
The guidance says that, in some cases, official school photographs or visits by newspaper photographers may be covered by data protection laws.
But provided that parents and children are informed about what is happening, there should be no problem in these cases.

nudging so people can see

It's about time common sense prevailed!! And just in time for my two littlies to be immortalised in Granny's album, lolol Princess Twinkletoes is about to go to big school, and Princess Thugette into preschool, bless them!!

Love

Daff xxxxx

always thought it was a stupid over the top law.

When I was teaching we banned photos because the constant flashing put the children off and many parents complained that it was distracting to have flashes going off during concerts and performances.

We asked the parents not to take photos until the bows at the end, then they could take as many as they liked.

Gwynne

That is different Gwynne, but with many modern digitals flash is not necessary. I too hate flash going off during performances it is very distracting.

At our Preschool there is a section on the entrance forms which asks parents if they agree to photo's of their child being taken by staff, to be used as a form of proof in Developmental Records, or at concerts,etc.

ie: A photo of little J holding up a piece of paper on which they have written their name for the first time.

We had one set of parents who said "no photo's of their child". When they attended their childs first concert armed with camera + cini camera they were upset to see a sign advising ALL parents that their could be NO photo's taken!

I think what they are saying now is that schools can't stop parents.

The still can, Ann, the head dictates what happens on school property, they can't use privacy as an excuse, though.

I don't allow photographs or video during my YT productions. I take rehearsal photos which I happily send to parents and they can take photos during the bows but are not allowed to take photos during the performance, digital or not.

They are all fine about it.

Gwynne

Yes, I see what you are saying Gwynne, they will have to find another reason.

There is far too much mania these days citing Prvacy, Data Protection etc when in the majority of cases it simply does not apply.

What seems to be missing these days is basic common sense. Yes flashing cameras during a performance is a pain i the proverbial - taking a picture for the family album at the end of the performance isn't.

Professional photographers who wish to sell their work are different, but even then they are permitted to take pictures of whoever the wish in public places.

Of course, schools can apply sensible rules, but as I say, based on common sense.

Our primary has a great head teacher. If anyone doesnt want their child filmed at all at these events, they have the choice not to precipitate.in that activity.such as sports day or a play for instance.( flash photography is limited to the end, but without the flash & camcorder recording is allowed throughout)

Its a shame for the child, but its down to the parents choice in the end, they cant have it all.

In the last 2 years there has been only 2 kids in the whole school not allowed to be photographed. As our head says, why should the rest of the whole school miss out on taking photos of these events ?.

We went to a caravan park last year on holiday and we were not allowed to take pics of your grandchildren, because of the "Data Protection Act" even though our children were the only ones in the pool at the time,the lifeguard said that they had a CCTV camera on the pool and if we were seen taking pics we would be made to delete them from our camera, we will not be returning to that site ever again.

Pam

As you know I have worked at the same school for 40 years. All my grandchildren have gone to the school. The other day I had my mobile on me at lunchtime and saw my Aspergers grandaughter actually dancing with a group of children to the cd player they have in the playground at lunchtime, I took a quick video of this to show her parents she was integrating with the other children. The head came over to me and asked me not to take photos in future. I replied that I was sorry but did that mean that I could not take photos of the gardening group that I run as I had taken some that morning. Oh thats ok she replied can we have some for the board in the corridor. My answer was yes and that all the photos I have taken as leader of the garden group, wildlife group P.D.S.A. group etc etc I have will be on my death sent to the Archives as a history of the school. I have been there 30 years longer than she has and the family have been at the school since the 1800s. Elaine.