To think this rule is strange.

[Summeblaze]

My DD is having a whole class party for her birthday. One morning after sending her into school I thought I would get the ball rolling with organising it. I was in the office anyway so while I was there asked the receptionist if they had a list of the dc's in her class. She said she couldn't give it out as me as a parent could not know last names of children for data protection.

Now I was quite prepared for her to say they didn't or didn't have time to give me it but was just asking for ease whilst I was there. So was ok with her not giving me it.

Instead I asked DD who gave me a list of everyone in her class including last names. My DD and DS are one of 3 of the same name in their class and kids differentiate by last names as do the teachers. My DC's have their full name called out in the playground all if the time when other children see them.

AIBU to think that if this is really a data protection thing then they shouldn't use last names in school at all.

We get a class photo with their names listed at the start of the year.
It's incredibly helpful and I refer to it often.
But then I'm in rural Ireland and people are more easy going here.

But pics on a school website

Isn't - so it's easier for parents to write parties invites.

That's the only problem, that you asked for something for a purpose other than for which it had been shared.

DD went on a residential school trip to France once in Y8, and they weren't allowed to take their mobile phones with them. So that we would all know when to arrive at school to collect them on their late evening return, the school set up a tree system where the teacher on the coach would call the first parent on the list, they would call two more, they would call two others etc. We got sent a list of everyone's names, their parents names and phone numbers and email addresses!

Our school doesn't give them out either but cites child protection issues rather than data protection

Blimey taxi4ballet was group text not an option?!

I have noticed that both school newsletters and also our gymnastics clubs newsletters have swapped over to giving first names of children only

YANBU and the "rules are rules" explanation just highlights how ludicrous this is in practice.

School plays, cast lists, nativity etc
All shown.

we are not allowed to have the dob. they print out the class lists and cut off the dob column. at christmas they give out the first names list.

the children know each others surnames any way. both my children are known with surnames as they have more than one of their name in school.