To think this isnt a terrible request re school.

[MincePieFlavouredVoidka]

To ask for a list of the childrens names in DS's class so I can write his Christmas cards?

I asked his teacher yesterday, and she told me I would have to speak to the office. Spoke to the office who said they would have to speak to the Head and the Head said no, because its too sensitive.

I only want a list of first names. I am only asking because DS cant tell me then names of the children in his class as he has a speech delay and ASD.

We get a list of first names and surname initials, eg Josh Z, Ruby X or whatever. Enough for the cards to be delivered to the right person but not identifiable if the lists were lost anywhere. I don't see why any schools would have a problem with that tbh.

JustGettingOnWithIt - He has a photo book at school with most of the children in it which helps. He is learning to recognise some of the children's pictures :)

MincePie, much happier hearing that, as my first thought was if they wont give a first name list for Christmas cards they're going to be really anti identifying photos, (a problem we lived through when school wouldn't even allow teachers pictures and he never did find out who they were.)
Many years up the road I wish you the very best of luck with it all. :-)

Maybe there is an issue with 1 child who needs their identity protecting. THe kids knowing John Smith is in the class is one thing But having a list floating around (potentially anywhere if it's dropped by a child) saying John Smith is in Mrs X class with the following kids" just might be information that shouldn't be shared in custody battles, children adopted out of family etc etc

Good thinking, Theas18.

We don't get lists either but when they do an xmas play they give us a ticket and it has all the childrens names on and what part they are doing. I just copy the names off of that. My DD could only remember 7 people from her class

I am a teacher and it is from the Data Protection Act that we are not allowed to give out class lists, or even take them out of school ourselves!! I think it is stupid and our head has allowed us (I teach Y1) to send out a first names only list for Christmas Cards. Is there any way you can copy a list of names from the cloakroom/trays? Or use a class photo to get the names? What year is he in?

^^
That can't be universally true is it? As I said, where I work there are full class lists of all the children's full names and teachers freely available on the school website. Or is that okay because only people with a login can access the site so the info can't be lying around? (Nothing to stop parents printing it though)

Also, all school's have children's full names posted all over the school on team lists, cast lists, music lesson timetables etc. Anyone could walk throught he corridors and see those.

Giving out a list of children's first names and initials to parents seems like nothing compared to displaying them in the corridors!

Charlejess - that s not true. The DPA does not restrict schools from giving out this information. Your school may not, but not the law.

we dont have access to the school corridors and do not see lists of names displayed everywhere. The details are also not on the school website. Luckily ds (5) has a good memory and managed to tell me the names of the other 17 in his class within a few weeks of starting school (is in P1 - equivalent of reception). DD had to use the school calendar picture to remember the other 28 pupils in her class!

At our primary, the school won't give a list but are happy for the class reps to organise getting that information voluntarily from the parents. You only have to give as much info as you want.

DS got a list at nursery. Thankfully as most names there have strange spelling variations e.g lili!