to be annoyed what the school has done?

[Tistheseason17]

My DD5 has come back from school today and her book bag, which had a discrete label on the back with her name/class on it, now has her name written in full in big black marker pen across the top of it.

No consultation or contact from the school. They just defaced our personal property without consideration for child safeguarding or respect for personal property.

The school has a strict policy on social media posting of photos of children but they are showing everyone as we walk to school her full name easily visible across the top of the bag.

I am fully prepared to be flamed! That is the point of AIBU so I will acknowledge if everyone thinks I am over reacting!

Presumably all the children have the same book bag. It is probably to differentiate. Maybe a label or a request to put names on would have been better. I would not like a messily written name. However, there are probably more important things to worry about.

So glad you got it sorted OP! I work in a sixth form college and as a beaver scout leader and was twitching like mad when I read your post. Seriously so many issues and things that could go wrong.

I know a lot of people on here are quite incredulous at this being a safeguarding issue and only if it is then one in a million situation. Really I'm quite glad they think that as that means they've never had to experience it. However, for those of us who work with children it is soul destroying at how much these events and issues become a part of your daily life. Not just as a watch out just in case but it actually happens.

Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it's unlikely, rare or ridiculous.

Amazing that even though the OPs school have clarified that it was a safeguarding issue, some MNers still challenge it!

To those who said it wasn’t a GDPR issue - GDPR refers to ‘processing’ information not just storing it. Writing the name on the bag was to enable the teacher to identify it. Using that name tag everyday to identify the bag would therefore technically be processing that personal information. Whether that’s a breach however is a very different matter and probably isn’t

@Crazyunicornlady
Thank you.
I feel that if the experts at the school have responded and it was reinforced at pick up today then I'm not being daft!

I do hope those arguing for the sake of it never have to go through anything like the examples given by PPs. But, hey, it's AIBU and when 90% say YNBU, the other 10% like to perpetuate, accuse and stick the boot in! Happens all the time and I have my big girl pants on !!! 🤣🤣🤣

I haven't rtft, but I would be annoyed, particularly if the handwriting wasn't neat. Probably wouldn't worry so much from safeguarding as everyone heard my daughter's name when she was little as she was a horror.

Hairspray will eventually get rid of most pen stains. I just had to get black permanent marker out of my Dad's brand new school jumper.

DD's not Dad's 😂

I completely agree with it being a safeguarding issue and think they were wrong to do it for that reason.

But also as someone who looks after their possessions, and wants to teach my child too, it would really, really annoy me they’d scrawled over a new bag with marker, means you can’t donate it, reuse for a second child, or sell it afterwards. It’s not their prerogative to do that just to make their lives easier in my opinion, and in this case I don’t care if they’re underfunded, there are other solutions.

had vision of your dad covering himself in pen or your child drawing a big moustache on him while he was asleep Isevery.

Glad they took it on board.

Last year many of the Reception had things dangling like keyring objects which identified their own bags and we soon learnt who had what. Many had their names on the credit card size label but the attached toys were often quicker.Just a thought one or two is enough for those not wanting any names on.

"It's a safeguarding issue,"

Jesus! Get a grip!

For those who don’t think it’s a safeguarding issue. My DD’s dad is incredibly violent and went to prison for nearly killing me. He is currently trying his best to find out which school she goes to. Which will be hard since it’s a private school and he doesn’t know that but if they put DD’s name on her bag he would be able to find her that way as he doesn’t know what she looks like now. They should really consult with you before doing such a thing. Especially if she’s going to be walking home with friends or by herself at any point. Headbands with our first names on were banned after some safeguarding issues and that was 20 years ago. I’ve experienced the whole ‘hello Goldhen I’m your mum’s friend, she asked me to pick you up’ thing when I had my name on a bag and a badge as it was some sort of excercise that day. Luckily I was with friends and we all realised what was going on.

Glad I'm not alone, @UsuallyOnTime and @goldhen

Even with my last post with the HT confirming it IS a safeguarding issue, some just like to be disagreeable!

Maybe, we need to get a grip of something else! 🥂