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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

First and surnames on leavers hoodies is a safeguarding issue

362 replies

SavonDeMarseille · 01/02/2019 09:08

Just found out the Y6 leavers hoodies (FFS since when was this a thing for Yr6!) will have the full names on their hoodies in the year number with their own name above the number and the school emblem and name on the front. AIBU to think this is a big safeguarding issue and should not be permitted. AI also BU or to want to take this up with the PTA who are organising this. Hoodies are worn all week on Yr 6 school trip.

OP posts:
Babysharkdododont · 01/02/2019 09:11

This isn't a safeguarding issue. It's possibly a privacy issue, as anyone who cares to look will know the child's first and last names, but it categorically isn't Safeguarding. It's extremely unhelpful when that word is banded about incorrectly.

Daisiesinavase · 01/02/2019 09:11

I wouldn't like that and I'd question why they are doing this at all. Seems ober the top and an unneccesary expense for parents.

Sirzy · 01/02/2019 09:14

It would only be a safeguarding issue if they put the full name of a child on that the school knew was at risk and didn’t have permission to use the name for. Even then in the grand scale of things only a minor one as the chances of someone not linked closely to a child getting close enough to read the names is probably pretty slim.

That said if your not happy ask for only the first name to be used for your child or first name and initial

MrsWillGardner · 01/02/2019 09:16

FFS since when was this a thing for Yr6!

Since it was just simply a nice thing to do?? Our school are doing the hoodie with all the kids names inside the number 19 with school logo on the front AND a leavers book with their photo and a paragraph written by each kid. Of course we had to sign to say we were ok with this but ffs op, chill out. It’s a nice thing for them all to have. Are you paying for it? Don’t get your kid one if it’s got you up in arms.

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 01/02/2019 09:18

They can opt in or out - so if you dont pay, your name isnt on the hoody. Its no different to school photos.

Donna1001 · 01/02/2019 09:24

I don’t think safeguarding is the right word, but I understand what you mean.

You will be able to opt out.

At my daughters school, when she left last year, they gave (no cost to parents) all the kids a t-shirt with first names put together in the shape of a number 18 on the back.

I thought it was a great gesture. The words are small so you have to be close up to read them, & then it’s only first names.

Even then some parents opted out which I thought was a little odd, (unless their child has an unusual name & there are safeguarding issues) but each to their own.

Waspnest · 01/02/2019 09:26

MrsWillGardner yes our school did the same. No surnames were used but your child could have their first name put on the front (DD didn't want that). And you could completely opt out and your child's name wouldn't appear at all. I thought it was a lovely idea and DD wears hers all the time.

Basecamp65 · 01/02/2019 09:27

Only an issue of you cannot opt out. If you feel it is a problem then opt out - let those who feel it really is fine choose for themselves

Jeanclaudejackety · 01/02/2019 09:28

Tbh it's been a thing since I was at secondary school to have Hoodie like this but we had nicknames on them. I don't think people are looking twice at the names and are unlikely to remember them anyway

BarbaraMiceland · 01/02/2019 09:29

FFS since when was this a thing for Yr6!

My youngest sister left Year 6 in 2008 and had a leavers hoodie... so I’d say over a decade.

Auntpetunia2015 · 01/02/2019 09:30

It’s not a safeguarding issue unless they have a chil who can’t be named and then it’s ok to just put first names. But the reality is the font is so small no one can read it. Why Dyou think it’s a safeguarding issue?

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 01/02/2019 09:32

Schools round here have done them for at least ten years and the kids seem to love them.

Can’t see the safeguarding issue. Opt out though if it makes you uncomfortable. If you can’t opt out then that is definitely wrong.

OurChristmasMiracle · 01/02/2019 09:36

Yes this is a safeguarding issue. A child who has an abusive parent or has been adopted could be traced to a school by the jumper. I would ask whether the PTA are going to get consent to use the children’s names because they may not be aware of all safeguarding issues.

WorraLiberty · 01/02/2019 09:37

Meh! If a kid has a reason why no-one should put their name to their face, their parents will tell the school this and they won't be forced to wear it.

MrsJayy · 01/02/2019 09:39

I think The names make up the leaving year so she would have "becky" : along the back and Rebecca Smith in the number and it is teeny tiny

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 09:40

For fucks sake. Do people really have to suck the joy out of every little thing these days?

You don’t want your kids to have one, fine, phone the school and ask your child’s name to be removed from the list of names and don’t buy one. But leave everyone else alone. My son and his friends loved their leavers hoodies and they largely just wore them to school where everyone knew who they were anyway. Do you not think with how risk averse schools are that they’ve thought of these things? “Safeguarding” my arse.

VietnameseCrispyFish · 01/02/2019 09:40

Yes it’s a safeguarding issue, as it violates the privacy of the kids included and for some of them it could post a real risk to their safety. Even if none of the children that year have known safeguarding concerns there may be things going on the school are unaware of. It’s just a bad idea.

YANBU.

SoupDragon · 01/02/2019 09:40

Ours were done by the PTA on an "opt in" basis. Full name of all opted in children in the number, any nam you wanted above it.

If you don't want your child's name on a hoody, tell them not to include it.

SuseB · 01/02/2019 09:40

At our school you have to fill in a form to show the format of the name you want to appear inside the number (eg first name/surname, first name only, nickname etc). You can also have a name added in bigger letters across the top, most of them have nicknames here. Parents have to give specific consent for their child's name to be included on the hoodie at all. In practice in previous years everyone has had first name/surname inside the number (as PP have said, this writing is small) and approx 50 per cent of them had a first name or nickname added in bigger letters (my DC didn't because it was significant extra cost and I'd already spent a fortune on party, limo, sweets and cake...

MrsJayy · 01/02/2019 09:40

And these hoodies are not compulsary are they I think you are being a bit OTT

VietnameseCrispyFish · 01/02/2019 09:43

But, if the school do make it possible for names to be removed if requested then I don’t see any issue.

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 09:43

It’s not done through the PTA in our school it’s the school. I wouldn’t readily have the PTA to have a list of kids names far less the ones with safeguarding issues who’s names shouldn’t be on the jumper.

spongedog · 01/02/2019 09:43

It is personal data - 1st name, last name, school, year group - so identifies that child. It needs to be done on a consent basis so opt out is required, but opting out should not affect school purpose, eg not being allowed to go on the school trip. The opt out would deal with any safeguarding issues.

A lovely idea, providing there is financial help for families who cant afford it.

JacquesHammer · 01/02/2019 09:43

I agree OP - its foolish.

Why is it so difficult to just have first names? Our hoodies were done that way.

SoupDragon · 01/02/2019 09:43

Yes it’s a safeguarding issue, as it violates the privacy of the kids included and for some of them it could post a real risk to their safety. Even if none of the children that year have known safeguarding concerns there may be things going on the school are unaware of.

It is only a safeguarding issue in two scenarios:

  1. no permission is sought
  2. the parent is dim enough to give permission.
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