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Secondary education

Am I allowed to record a meeting at school - Scotland

11 replies

Whydomypubeslooklikeanest · 27/03/2018 16:16

Just as the title says really.

I have a meeting at school tomorrow. Previous meetings about this issue have resulted in teachers denying or downplaying certain things that have been said.

Am I allowed to record the meeting?

TIA

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Lidlfix · 27/03/2018 19:19

I would refuse to be recorded and would supported in my refusal by management and union. I would have no way to protect myself from you editing the recording to manipulate meaning.

Ask for a third party and/or minute taker then get all involved the sign off on records of meeting.

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Whydomypubeslooklikeanest · 27/03/2018 19:28

Thank you.

I'm not sure if I can get someone neutral at such short notice to be there as a witness.

Do you think the school would be ok with me taking my boyfriend as a witness/minute taker? There will be 2 staff members in the meeting as well.

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Dermymc · 27/03/2018 19:30

I would refuse this totally (as a member of staff).

Tbh having 2 members of staff there means you're already seen as 'that parent'.

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bassackwards · 27/03/2018 19:33

Agreed - it's best to have someone take minutes and get them signed off by all attendees.

Recording a meeting without the permission of the others attendees is a bit murky legally, depending on what you end up doing with the recording. Even if you obtain their permission, it tends to make people uncomfortable and so you're less likely to have a frank and open discussion. That's my experience anyway.

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RavenWings · 27/03/2018 19:33

Agreed, I would flat out refuse to hold a meeting of a parent tried to record me, and said parent would have to deal with management only. I think it's fine to take someone along though - and I agree that if there's two staff members there, they are doing similar (either as support or as a witness).

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Whydomypubeslooklikeanest · 27/03/2018 20:01

Tbh having 2 members of staff there means you're already seen as 'that parent'.

Hmm both staff members are relevant to the subject matter of the meeting, they both need to be there as they are both involved. Thanks though.

I would never record without permission, and wouldnt do anything with the recording unless the teachers denied or downplayed what was said again and then I would have only used it to play back to them. I'll call first thing and ask if I can take someone in with me to take notes instead.

Thanks all.

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Lidlfix · 27/03/2018 20:36

With all due respect the attendees of the meeting would only have your word for what you'd do with any recording. Given that you're going to meeting insinuating that the teachers have previously denied or underplayed points made in previous conversations it feels like an accusatory tone has been set.

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dragonwarrior · 27/03/2018 20:38

The thing with a recording is you need to get everything to confirm who they are when they talk so you actually know who said what, sign to say they consented and officially transcribed to use as evidence so they are mostly useless

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dragonwarrior · 27/03/2018 20:40

Everything = everyone.

Autocorrect fail

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ScaryMary81 · 27/03/2018 20:47

I'd record it covertly, you are legally allowed to record your GP, without consent as the information is specific to to you, and is legally your information. I assume the same in this case as the conversation will be about the child.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.gponline.com/patients-record-gp-visits-without-consent-solicitors-warn/article/1219685&ved=2ahUKEwj--M69oo3aAhWNa8AKHYlsAvcQFjABegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw24HKk9bslxHHcJF--b1mFP" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.gponline.com/patients-record-gp-visits-without-consent-solicitors-warn/article/1219685&ved=2ahUKEwj--M69oo3aAhWNa8AKHYlsAvcQFjABegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw24HKk9bslxHHcJF--b1mFP

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Oblomov18 · 27/03/2018 20:57

Take a friend with you. Anyone. The fact you have someone with you, changes the dynamics significantly.

I took 2 friends to a school complaint meeting.

Their minute taker seemed put out that my friend started taking minutes.

If you record, without bringing it to their attention, ie secretly, and then only use it for your own purposes, for writing up checking your minutes -

Especially seeing as they have denied saying things before Hmm

Then, what exactly are they going to do?

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