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AIBU?

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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:
WorraLiberty · 01/02/2019 10:09

It's not as easy as that for some children, particularly those who are vulnerable due to SN/SEN.

So they don't wear one, or the parents ask for the surname to be removed Confused

Also, given that they're wearing them for a week long school trip, the staff are hardly going to let a vulnerable child go running round town on their own.

badlydrawnperson · 01/02/2019 10:09

Yes OP, all leaver hoodies should have PUPIL X on them by law.

treaclesoda · 01/02/2019 10:12

It's not as easy as that for some children, particularly those who are vulnerable due to SN/SEN.

But if a child has special needs that would leave them vulnerable in this way then surely their parents would either not allow their name to be put on the hoodie or only allow them to wear the hoodie when they are in a situation where that can't possibly happen.

Myusernameismud · 01/02/2019 10:12

I arranged the leavers hoodies for DDs year 6 group and it was a NIGHTMARE! Year group of 60 kids, only 37 returned forms (even though I'd stated please reply even if you don't want one). Because the issue is, if I didn't have permission to print all children's first names and surnames, then I couldn't ifswim? And it would look weird printing some full names and some first names only.
I ended up just printing first names and an initial for children with the same first name (Jimmy S, Jimmy T etc)

Myusernameismud · 01/02/2019 10:13

But I agree, not necessarily a safeguarding issue apart from in specific circumstances, but definitely a privacy issue, or GDPR etc.

NannyRed · 01/02/2019 10:14

I often see staff (especially shop staff) wearing name badges, are they endangering themselves? Are we all supposed to keep our names private? I worked in places where I’ve worn a name badge and signed letters using my full name! Should I now seek the services of a bodyguard?
Sorry op, you’re over reacting, the hoodies are not compulsory, I doubt your child will wear them even a week after leaving school, they are a fund raiser and a momento, not a diy pedo kit.

Beerflavourednipples · 01/02/2019 10:14

Some children, if approached by a stranger who "knows" their name, might assume the person knows their family and trust them / go with them. Year 6 is still quite young; maturity and street smarts vary hugely and that's not even considering SEN.

How would a stranger know which name, out of possibly 90 or even 120, depending on the size of the school, belonged to the child they were talking to?

waitingforthenextbus · 01/02/2019 10:15

It's not safeguarding issue. It'll be opt in/opt out. Our Year 6's loved it, it was a big deal for them. My kids wear hoodies, it's not like we're being asked to purchase some specialist equipment that they'll never use again. If you don't want a surname added to yours speak up or any name added for your child speak up now. FFS. But you don't need to make a song and dance about it. Our school also overs assistance on these kinds of things for kids who are in need, I'm sure your school will too.

Beerflavourednipples · 01/02/2019 10:15

This is not a 'safeguarding' issue, nor GDPR, as long as each parent has given permission to have the name on the goody which presumably they have.

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 10:16

Some children, if approached by a stranger who "knows" their name, might assume the person knows their family and trust them / go with them

And how will this “stranger” manage to randomly pick the right name out of the 50 on the back of the hoodie?

reluctantbrit · 01/02/2019 10:17

When DD was in Y6 last year the parents organised and paid for the hoddies. They were given out after SATS, the children loved them and really looked forward having them.

We had all names, first and last, on the back and the initials on the front underneath the logo. Main reason for this was that in a pile of 60 hoddies it was easier to find yours back. Worked very well.

The row of names at the back was quite tiny and actually in the shape of a large 18, so you had to look very closely to find your own child. I doubt anyone would be able to read all the names from a normal distance.

The only objection would be if you have an at-risk child in the year, the people responsible for organising this have to verify that with the school.

Hundredacrewoods · 01/02/2019 10:18

How would a stranger know which name, out of possibly 90 or even 120, depending on the size of the school, belonged to the child they were talking to?

Because most are personalised, with the child's name in huge letters, and then the rest of the names in tiny letters lower down. A PP posted a photo.

JacquesHammer · 01/02/2019 10:20

I often see staff (especially shop staff) wearing name badges, are they endangering themselves? Are we all supposed to keep our names private? I worked in places where I’ve worn a name badge and signed letters using my full name! Should I now seek the services of a bodyguard?

Yes quite, it is EXACTLY the same thing. I do sometimes wonder...

We had four children who absolutely couldn't have their full name associated with their school so they couldn't be identified in any way. Two were adopted, one had an abusive family member and the other was the subject of kidnapping/murder threats due to their parents' job.

So yeah, not having hoodies with full names on might be being over cautious. But you know, it was worth it to ensure that kids who already had a pretty difficult time weren't excluded yet again.

Missingstreetlife · 01/02/2019 10:20

So any random person next to them on a bus or in a queue has a conversation opener, hello Kirsty that's a pretty name, or whatever. A
So open to piss takers as well. If I want people to know my name I'll tell them thanks

JacquesHammer · 01/02/2019 10:20

And again when you have a school year of 18 or even 13, then yes - it becomes far easier to spot a name.

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 10:21

As for the “unnecessary cost” (a) they’re not compulsory and (b) ours were a tenner. Which I appreciate may still be a lot for some families but it’s hardly a huge expense in the light of a lot of the other costs incurred in events around leaving primary school! Our school trip was nearly £300.

Missingstreetlife · 01/02/2019 10:23

yes it can be a problem. We wear name badges but it doesn't have to be real name. Staff have been followed and harassed by public.

Schmoobarb · 01/02/2019 10:23

Because most are personalised, with the child's name in huge letters, and then the rest of the names in tiny letters lower down. A PP posted a photo.

The primary school ones here aren’t like that. They just say “leavers” and then the kids’ names are in the numbers. All the kids basically have the exact same jumper

MrsJayy · 01/02/2019 10:24

Ok so a stranger is going to kidnap yourchild because they shout out their name the read on a hoody ?

marymarkle · 01/02/2019 10:25

When I hear kids talking on buses they are loud and I often hear their names anyway as another child calls them it. The idea that anyone with ill intentions can not easily find out your child's name is naive. Teach your kids to look after themselves.

The80sweregreat · 01/02/2019 10:26

The names printed are tiny on those hoodies and I'm sure the parent doesn't have to buy their child one. I know it's hard if everyone else has one ; they could always buy it and put it away as a memory of the school or something if there is any kind of ' safeguarding ' issues. Most pupils will outgrow them in a few years too.
I can see your point of view , but at your at risk then if banning everything ' just in case'
Where do schools draw the line?

Original poster
SavonDeMarseille · 01/02/2019 10:27

hundredacrewoods said and I agree
Of course it's a safeguarding issue, even if the child isn't at risk from abusive relatives or other people known to them. Some children, if approached by a stranger who "knows" their name, might assume the person knows their family and trust them / go with them. Year 6 is still quite young; maturity and street smarts vary hugely and that's not even considering SEN.

This is the first issue.

The second being that the children wear them on the Y6 school trip and you can't have one child not wearing a hoodie in the group of 60. The school rely on all the children having one. It is not a financial thing, it is safety.

The PTA has given no consideration to looked after children and how to accommodate their safety

OP posts:
EwItsAHooman · 01/02/2019 10:27

So they don't wear one, or the parents ask for the surname to be removed confused

Also, given that they're wearing them for a week long school trip, the staff are hardly going to let a vulnerable child go running round town on their own.

But if a child has special needs that would leave them vulnerable in this way then surely their parents would either not allow their name to be put on the hoodie or only allow them to wear the hoodie when they are in a situation where that can't possibly happen.

I didn't mention anything about the hoodie, I was replying to the poster who said it's simply a case of teaching children not to go off with people who happen to know their name and saying that it's not as simple as that for some children.

I already agreed that names on a hoodie is not a safeguarding issue, my child's school has their name and year group sewn onto the front of their uniform jumpers.

RiverTam · 01/02/2019 10:27

baffling how cavalier so many people are about their DCs privacy. Though unsurprising given how much of their children's lives so many people splatter all over social media.

JellycatElfie · 01/02/2019 10:28

Surely all the kids know each other anyways and if someone wanted to know their name they’d just ask their child? Why is it a safe guarding issue - in case it’s posted online, what? I think it’s ridiculous to say it’s a safe guarding issue and people seem to suck the fun out of everything!