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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think the school should have informed me DD was going to be in the newspaper?

148 replies

StickersStickers · 08/09/2021 19:28

A friend called me today to tell me DDs photography was in a local newspaper. She was chosen as she’s the youngest in the school and her and an older pupil presented flowers to someone who visited the school. It’s a very cute photograph, and I remember signing a disclaimer saying they could take her photograph etc. But AIBU to think I should have been told? Not even about permission, I don’t usually get the paper and i wouldn’t have knows if my friend hadn’t called me.

OP posts:

moynomore · 09/09/2021 07:15

As a teacher OP's little darlings debut in the local rag wouldn't be at the top of my list of things I needed to remember that day.

Seldon · 09/09/2021 08:28

I disagree with the general consensus, but I also appreciate schools are a bit overwhelmed. Fundamentally, it’s good practice for organisations to both get consent and be clear about how the photo would be used. It seems they weren’t so clear on the latter.

Sparklingbrook · 09/09/2021 09:47

@Seldon

If a photographer from a local paper goes into school and takes photos it's fairly clear as to where the photos will be used surely?

Seldon · 09/09/2021 11:22

If a photographer from a local paper goes into school and takes photos it's fairly clear as to where the photos will be used surely?

Clearly not. Plus the OP doesn’t talk about the disclaimer talking about a photographer from a newspaper. She talks of a general disclaimer that may not have been related to the event I question

WeeM · 09/09/2021 11:32

At our school, this would prob go out on the school’s Twitter feed and possibly the teacher would put it on Google classroom. And im sure would get a mention in the newsletter (although this is only monthly so would be a while after the photo appeared probably). Do you think the school could do better with comms in general for what is happening within the school, perhaps you could raise it at the next PTA meeting?

Sparklingbrook · 09/09/2021 11:54

@Seldon

If a photographer from a local paper goes into school and takes photos it's fairly clear as to where the photos will be used surely?

Clearly not. Plus the OP doesn’t talk about the disclaimer talking about a photographer from a newspaper. She talks of a general disclaimer that may not have been related to the event I question

Well it seems clear to me. They’re going in the paper!

GreyhoundG1rl · 09/09/2021 12:03

A general disclaimer covers most things, unless they're specifically excluded 🤷🏻‍♀️

Original poster

StickersStickers · 09/09/2021 14:17

Because there still seems to be confusion - I signed a general disclaimer at the start of the school year. Thinking about it - it probably did include something about her photo appearing in a paper as, as I said, every year a group photo appears in a different newspaper for the new school class.

I did not sign something specifically relating to this particular photograph which included her name. Again, I’m not bothered about that.

I do think even a general schoolwide message could have gone out - some photo’s were taken when X was here. They might appear in a newspaper- keep an eye out.

As apparently I ABU to expect a note relating to DD individually.

And also people keep mention classes of 30 kids, there are 14 in her class.

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 09/09/2021 14:27

DSs we’re in a small village school. 55 in the whole school when DS1 started and 15 in Reception but we never got a heads up about newspaper pics.
Was just a nice surprise to see them.

Sparklingbrook · 09/09/2021 14:27

*were

halcyondays · 09/09/2021 14:35

@TartanJumper

Actually I don't think it's really on. The newspaper could have shown the school the photos before printing and then they could have asked parents. Agreeing to social media and general photos doesn't IMO include printing in a paper.

Usually they ask specifically for permission to use the child’s photos in the local paper on the consent forms you fill in at the start of each school year. Schools are pretty careful about that these days.

Bushgirl · 09/09/2021 19:26

What's the big problem with your child's photo appearing in a newspaper? Have you really got so little to worry about that this is a big issue? I mean, I'm assuming we are talking about a local rag and not some sort of underground child sex publication. What do you think is going to happen? Dear God!!

notoldjustpastyoung · 09/09/2021 20:06

Yes you're being unreasonable Ihope this feeling didn't lap over into your daughters thrill of being in the paper. It would have been nice to have been told but may they didn't know which photo the photographer was going to use. He'd have taken a lot.

bizboz · 09/09/2021 20:18

I don’t think some teachers seem to realise that they aren’t the only overworked profession either.

Anything to do with photos appearing in the press would be nothing to do with the teacher. Photo publication is handled completely by the administrative staff or maybe the Headteacher. I am responsible only responsible for any photographs I publish on my class page of the website, when I would check to see if there were any children who couldn't appear in these.

Fleshmechanic · 09/09/2021 21:53

You signed a disclaimer but a heads up would have been nice. This was my fear signing the form but I did it 😖

surreygirl1987 · 09/09/2021 22:32

@wheresmybiscuit3

I don’t think some teachers seem to realise that they aren’t the only overworked profession either. I’m really sorry that you are stretched so thin, and you shouldn’t have to work so many hours… but if that’s the case (and I know it is because I see a lot of teachers who are burned out) then why aren’t you all doing something about it? Perhaps it’s time that parents should know this so they can also help?

Erm... who said teachers are the only overworked profession?!

And why do you assume we, as teachers, aren't trying to do something about it? 🤷‍♀️ What a weird post!

QueenFreesia2021 · 09/09/2021 22:38

Our school has photos in the paper and local newsletter type magazine fairly regularly. We aren’t told. Sometimes they will share on Twitter if the newspaper has shared it.

It’s worth looking out for the pictures if you are keen to see them. My lovely mum used to call me and tell me if she saw a picture as I am a bit rubbish at checking.

LovelyIssues · 09/09/2021 23:17

You've signed to say they can use the picture so they've not been unreasonable to then use it but just seems strange her teacher hasn't said ohh keep an eye out as we've used a lovely photo of her and it's going to be in the newspaper! (That's a fairly big thing in my eyes abs exciting)

chicken12 · 09/09/2021 23:51

who reads local newspapers if you don't want them in photos let the school know more people will see pictures on social media

cansu · 10/09/2021 06:51

FGS
Many people have explained that the school may well have had no idea whether or when the photo could appear.

The OP gave permission and in any case does not appear to have suffered any harm from said photograph beyond feeling put out that she didn't know before her friend.

Personally, I tend to only bother complain about things that have had a negative outcome or are serious for the simple reason that the school are trying to get on with teaching and learning and fielding this kind of stuff takes away from that core part of the job.

Rockbird · 10/09/2021 06:54

School Office here. Yes we absolutely would have let you know that her photo had been taken and to watch the paper to see if it was published. It's a 30 second email, not an issue at all.

jontyl · 10/09/2021 07:03

Really!! You should be proud. Maybe you are?

HelpNeedCoolUsername8 · 11/09/2021 09:53

I was a primary teacher for ten years. If the agreement you signed explicitly stated that you were happy for child’s photo to be used in publicity for the school then school were within their rights technically, but as a teacher I would’ve wanted to double check you still consented and also give you a heads up in case you wanted to keep a copy. You’re not being unreasonable. PP asked if you thought school have time. Schools are obviously extremely busy places, but as a teacher I personally would’ve made time for this. Surely the teacher sees you daily at drop off/pick up and if not then a quick phone call only takes 5 mins. You could ask to see what you’ve signed to check the wording, but also mention to the teacher that if it happens again you’d appreciate a heads up.

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