Sports day photos ‘not banned’
MetroSchools should not ban parents from taking photos of their children at sports day, a privacy watchdog has said.
Parents are not breaking the law by snapping their own children at school events, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said.
Schools should not ban parents from snapping their children at sports day, a privacy watchdog said
It has published guidance reminding schools that they cannot hide behind data protection laws to prevent parents taking photos.
There have been reported cases of schools banning photography.
The guidance comes as schools across the country prepare for end-of-year events, including the annual sports day.
It says: “The Data Protection Act is unlikely to apply in many cases where photographs are taken in schools and other educational institutions. 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.”
ICO deputy commissioner and director of data protection David Smith said: “A photo of your child at their first school production or winning the 100m race on sports day preserves precious memories.
“The Data Protection Act in no way stops parents from taking such photos. A common-sense approach should be taken to photography at school events. Photos for personal use, such as family albums, are not covered by the Act. Schools that cite the Act to prevent parents from taking pictures are wrong.”
See Article with comments from ParentsOutloud on http://www.mirror.co.uk
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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We have been banned from taking video and photographs of our children at their school since December after 5 years of being able to a new head teacher came in and has warned parents that there will be a no tolerence on camera use. Parents at our school are extremely frustrated and quite a few of us have written in with suggestion to enable the school to still ensure that they are protecting vulnerable children.
parents do have the right to ask for their child not to be photographed for what ever reason but also the rights of the parents who do want to film and photograph should be considered and that as a responsible community school they should find a solution to this problem.
The school hides behind the Data protection Act and feels that if even one child can not be photographed then the whole school must do the same.
They have said that we are able to take a static photograph of our child standing alone after the event!!!
When we tried to gather friends together with the parents permission we were told this was unacceptable and that they have strict guidlines to adhere to which include one child being photographed at a time.
So basicly their solution is not even a solution as I could take a photograph of my children in their p.e kit in the garden!!!!!
Our new headmistress who started in September 2009 went on maternity leave in April 2010 and the only confirmation is that she will not be returning in September 2010 but as she set this rule in place it can not be changed!!!!!!!
We have approached the school govenors who stand by her decision.
It will be interesting to see how your Headteachers feels when her child is at school regarding sports day pictures . As you will see from the article which I suggest you show to your Governors and Acting Head they actually cannot stop you taking photographs.
I am willing to talk to the media about this situation as I was a parent who was stopped by Police for trying to take pics and record my own daughter in her school nativity play.
I have spoken out to plenty of media in the past when this first happened.
I also welcome any solicitor who would want to help me take legal action on the school in question which won’t cost me anything, as I am unable to work at the minute due to illness so I would qualify for legal aid.
It seems I was right all along to chalenge this scenario and it seems my daughters school lied to me all along which has made me not able to record some of my daughters milestones in her childood!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7148924.stm
Every time I want to film or photograph my kids, whether its at the school athletics or if they are performing on a stage your told you cant! why not?? It’s not like there are other kids walking around in skimpy costumes or naked, this is absolutely pathetic!
We should be able to capture and keep these precious moments forever, without the fear of being stigmatized and frowned upon like we are some sort of paedophile.
I am starting a campaign as we will have no memories of our children when they get older.
Even when you do film or photograph other people look at you as if your some sort of threat.
I think that we should challenge all schools and authorities who prevent us recording these precious memories of our loved ones.
Please sign our petition if you want to have your “denied memories” restored!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/photoban/
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