BBC school social distancing imagery

[SnapeSnapeSeverusSnape]

The majority of photographs being used by the bbc in articles relating to schools reopening are starting to irritate me. The attached pics are all from the BBC news website, most are the headline photo, showing at most 6 children in a class, the 2nd image, also from their website but specifically in relation to an article about worries of lack of social distancing, shows the reality. Most classes at my dcs school will have 34 children.

I am all for schools reopening, I am a teaching assistant and have 3 of my own children, I am more than happy for both my children and myself to be going back, but I do think this imagery isn't truthfully reflecting the reality of what classrooms will be like.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I was moaning about this to my DH today, it really makes me angry. I am a school governor so I know what the reality will be.

I couldn’t believe their lead photo on the website for a while today was the one with the 2, I am assuming the Primary School, children queuing up 2m apart and wearing masks.

[SnapeSnapeSeverusSnape]

It just worries me that some people might believe that is what it is, or will be like. Yes, some schools looked like that when it was only keyworker's children, but I know even when our school had the bubbles of 15 back there wasn't room for the distancing shown in those images, and now we're at least doubling those numbers again.

[Bluewavescrashing]

It is so misleading. Trying to keep children apart is futile.

[SnapeSnapeSeverusSnape]

We're going to have 60 reception aged children all eating together in a 7x5m room for starters.

[SnapeSnapeSeverusSnape]

You could see from the photos at the exam results days just how much, or little, children are likely to socially distance in reality. That's fine, just don't pretend it's anything other.

[Bluewavescrashing]

Even when I had 8 children in my bubble during June and July, we couldn't maintain distance. We moved tables, lines were on the floor, we tried doing zombie arms to keep the gap when lining up, we looked at the covid Julia Donaldson illustrations, reminded them all day long to keep their distance. It didn't work. With 8 children and 2 adults in a standard size classroom. 30 children - crowded!

[Ickabog]

I agree, it's misleading. It doesn't even resemble what our classrooms were like in June / July, let alone how they will be in September.

[Hyggefun]

What do you expect? The BBC has never really been independent. It's propaganda. Likewise, this report they keep harping on about, they don't seem to mention all the data was gathered with class sizes of 10 or less in most schools, with children sat at individual desks and encouraged to social distance wherever possible. I can't see how they can say it proves anythinng but of course we're in the realms of lies, damn lies and statistics.

[minicat]

Where are they going to get more photos from, though?

[FredaFrogspawn]

Absolutely this. I am so fed up of the bbc website being used to back up whatever this government wants us to think this week. It feels like they all think we are utter fools.

[minicat]

I see your point but how would they go about taking different one’s?

[MrsHerculePoirot]

When I looked on the app just now the second photo, showing the reality, was no longer there...

If we’re are all going back full time at least be honest with everyone about how it will look. It feels like those making the decisions seem to think social distancing will be taking place in schools and classrooms. It won’t. So be clear about that.

[Ickabog]

@minicat

I see your point but how would they go about taking different one’s?

They could just use stock photos of a classroom / school. They're not going to look much different from how they did before Covid, so would be a much closer representation than those in the OP.

[ineedaholidaynow]

@minicat they could probably use a photo from pre COVID times of a crowded classroom because lets be honest that is what most classrooms will look like in September. They could photoshop a bit of yellow warning tape on the floor and a bottle of hand sanitiser by the door to make it slightly more realistic.

[FrameByFrame]

It's an absolute joke! Even with 15 children in one classroom from 1st June, it looked nothing like that! I don't know why they are feeding us all this tripe, since they keep telling us children don't need to socially distance and that it's all so 'safe'. It's totally misleading and manipulative. I'm glad you've mentioned this, because I get annoyed every time I see these images on TV and I'm glad it's not just me.

[Tavannach]

I see your point but how would they go about taking different one’s?

Maybe not use photos? Photos are a means of communication. They should be as accurate as words especially on a site that's meant to be objective.

[YewHedge]

Yes OP!
I am a TA too and always think the photos are crazy, nothing like UK reality.

[itsgettingweird]

Well it took me less than 30 seconds to find a photo of a primary school in a normal situation and the reality.

So I'm sure BBC could manage with their access to far more material than google

[SnapeSnapeSeverusSnape]

So glad it's not just me seeing the pure propaganda going on

[LilyPond2]

www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint

We should probably start filing complaints with the BBC whenever they illustrate a story about UK schools returning with a picture that gives a misleading impression of the reality in UK schools. They'll no doubt ignore one complaint, but if they get lots they might possibly change their approach.

[CKBJ]

Why don’t you all email the BBC stating your complaint that the photos used are not an accurate representation. If you select yes to do you want a reply they need to respond-even if it’s a standard reply. More people do this maybe the message will get through!

[CKBJ]

@LilyPond2 you beat me to it! I’ve sent mine

[SquashedFlyBiscuits]

I was livid this morning too.

We're all going back but be honest.

It's like advertising a holiday to Weston super Mare and using photos of the Bahamas!

[MrsHerculePoirot]

Which option are you choosing when sending your complaint? General BBC or website/app? Or something else?

[SnapeSnapeSeverusSnape]

Thanks for the link, good idea, must admit I have a habit of complaining about things but not actually complaining to the people causing the issue!