Primary School using random parent to take photographs of P1 instead of using a company

[James1981]

Is it just me, or is this weird?

I definitely won't consent to this.

The father isn't charging for the service and as far as I'm aware only does photography as a hobby. We don't even know his full name.

@WorraLiberty

They'll probably be taken with a camera that's owned by the school.

The school will have a nominated member of staff who will see they're deleted afterwards.

That's how it works at the schools here anyway.

Thank you - that seems like a great alternative. Hopefully this is the route they have gone down.

James ....your reply to my post makes no sense to me...

You've hit the nail on the head. How do I know the photos won't go on Twitter? This is my exact point - I have no idea what will be done with the images.
Why exactly would he want a photo of a random kid on his Twitter??
Even if he's DBS checked, if you're concerned he's a paedophile, which is what I'm getting from your anguish over what he'll do with the photos, a DBS only shows what he's been caught for and working for a proper component company doesn't mean he isn't

Think about it. The person taking the pictures of fully clothed children is not going to be handling them or be on his own with them.

A professional photographer may well have passed the safeguarding tests but that does not necessarily make him safe.

It’s a fabulous money saving idea for parents.

Photographer, is kindly giving up their time, and will no doubt be DBS checked, if that reassures you.

As others have said, school camera.

I wish our school did this.

Instead of handing us a £40 bill for photographs

I would imagine he's DBS checked so I would have no problem!

Saves the £60+ of bog standard pictures.

I'm looking at you Tempest!

What a good idea - will suggest it at the school I’m a governor of. There are always complaints about the annual expensive photos.

Even if the photographer isn't DBS checked - and he/she doesn't have to be if it's a one off - school will be following their own safeguarding policies by ensuring that he/she is accompanied at all times.

A lot of over reactions here.

He won't be left alone with the pupils; there will be a designated adult with him for the pics.

We have a lot of very good 'hobby' photographers around us; I wish our schools did this!

Kittle is grossly overpriced.

If the child is never alone with the photographer there isnt a safeguarding issue - assuming the photos are standard type school photos.

@lockeddownandcrazy

If the child is never alone with the photographer there isnt a safeguarding issue - assuming the photos are standard type school photos.

You are incorrect.

@James1981

He’ll have to comply with the school’s staff behaviour policy. There should be something about photography in it. The policy should be available to read on your school’s website. Hopefully that will reassure you.

He will also be listed on the school’s Single Central Record with all of his DBS details.

Our school seems to do this and the photos are embarrassingly shit quality. Occasionally slightly blurry or poorly posed.
Mind you in Ireland, it’s almost mandatory that you get a cousin/vague relative in at a cheap price, regardless of ability.
I just take my own photos each year instead.

You’re so lucky, ours are besotted by Tempest who have had loads of money from me over the years for their horrible shitty photos.

@James1981

It's so bizarre to me. This person won't be obliged to adhere to data protection.

No idea what makes you think that. He will be obliged to adhere to GDPR as this is clearly not a purely personal or household activity. He may even do a better job of it than some companies.

@James1981

And licensed to work with vulnerable people/children.

You mean DBS checked. The school is responsible for ensuring that the parent concerned is properly checked.

Why would you give a monkeys about the parent/photographer having a photo of your child anyway
Anyone could take a photo of your child in a public place and you have no control over what they do with it.
Schools share lots of photos of children anyway - both with other parents and the public through social and print media, their own marketing and websites.
If there are particular child protection concerns for certain children then I'm sure the school can discuss that individually.

OP I know exactly where you're coming from. The people who think it's ridiculous to be worried about "a dad" having an image of their kid are, quite frankly, lucky.

Speak to the school, just go in lightly at first. It's likely whoever you speak to won't know what you do either.

You're not wrong to raise it though. At all.

It is naive to assume just because a school is a school that all safeguarding measures will be stringent. This could have been avoided if the letter contained more information around the procedural element of the opportunity
It's reasonable to want to ask questions about GDPR and to ask whether the volunteer is subject to the same safeguarding requirements as staff.

It's totally unreasonable to assume that the school have decided to allow a random person show up and take photographs and even more unreasonable to think that the school should have written a letter to parents giving the sort of procedural information you want.

There comes a point where as a parent you either have to trust the school's judgement or withdraw your children from something you don't consent to.

1. However did we cope in the past?

1. Ian Huntley had a DBS.

It's you. A few years ago a parent took the school's photos and they were genuinely the best school photos we have. The kids are relaxed and having fun - not rigid and posed like they're on a production line.

Go for it.

For example, I'm sure you aren't allowed to take photographs of the kids your working with and keeping them on your personal phone.

You are wrong. You may, of course, be in breach of your contract of employment if you do this. If you don't take adequate precautions to stop the photos being seen by others you may be in breach of GDPR or put your employer in breach. But, as long as you comply with GDPR, you are not breaking the law. Having said that, I wouldn't advise anyone to do this.

You've hit the nail on the head. How do I know the photos won't go on Twitter? This is my exact point - I have no idea what will be done with the images.

If you look around Mumsnet you will find a number of cases where companies have used photos of children at school events. Using a company is no guarantee that they will adhere to data protection correctly.

We've done it before at DCs primary school and it was absolutely fine, the photos were nearly as good as the pros, the parent took his time to make the kids feel comfortable, and we saved an absolute bundle of money.

If anything I think it's better having someone you're at least a little familiar with. Do you prefer your child being photographed by a complete stranger, then? There's no guarantee they're good people just because they work for a company. Me and my partner always say that a clean DBS is no proof they've never done anything, it's only proof they've never been caught.

I know what you’re getting at op. Ask the school if he’s been DBS checked.