AIBU for teacher to give out list of names of all the kids in the class

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Is it helpful for writing christmas cards/ party invites?
Or against date protection/ safeguarding/ GDPR?

If the school use Google classrooms then you can log on and go to the "classmates" tab (or whatever it is called) and see the list of everyone in the class. It isnt exactly secret information.

Our teacher announced that they no longer release lists of names for Xmas cards.

@RosesAndHellebores sorry you've lost me now. I am referring to state schools in the UK. Perhaps in independent sector or in schools in other countries teachers are supposed to act as PAs/secretaries for students, parents and carers- I have no idea.

Why would you even give out 30 or so cards ..when you don't even know their names...

honestly, what's the point???

how would it be breeching GDPR? its a list of first names that are non identifiable, that your child would know anyway.

Is it needed, for the Childs enjoyment of a tradition of sending cards

would the ICO deem it a breech and how and why?

@00100001

Why would you even give out 30 or so cards ..when you don't even know their names...

honestly, what's the point???

Because it is nice and inclusive for the children, they enjoy it and appreciate it. It is fun, and in the spirit of Christmas.

We use Google classroom and that has all the children listed on there with their picture and school email, but I'm guessing we had to agree to be on there at some point during the set up.

@RosesAndHellebores have re-read your comment, sorry baby brain in full flow over here. In state schools in England the rules are made by the Headteacher, senior management team and signed off and approved by the governing body. The community and realistically parent/carers get zero say in it. When schools look to change a policy e.g. uniform or behaviour there may be a lip service style 'consultation' with other school staff and parents/carers, however in my experience this is more for show and the policy proposed is ratified, without amendments, by governors. I shouldn't imagine schools have a specific Christmas card/birthday invite policy in writing- perhaps some do, in which case it is down to school's discretion how they facilitate this type of thing and to what extent. Bottom line for me is my child is at school to learn- I want their teachers to be using any time not with the children to mark, prep, plan, engage with meaningful CPD etc. I don't want them wasting time on writing names on envelopes, creating name lists etc. for this type of thing. Cards are nice- but it's the parent/carer responsibility to sort out- not the school. Get on the gate and get handing out is the solution to this issue in my mind.

Are kids drawings of themselves and then writing their name underneath in a tea towel at Christmas not a thing anymore. This was what parents went off when I was at school. With the bonus that if the kid was a good drawer then there was a resembling picture as well.

Ours hool don't give out a list, generally children receive a card from their friends and those parents who want to give to the whole class send in a pile of cards signed by their child. At the end of the day it's easier for teachers to just stand at the door and make sure each child gets an envelope than deal with those children who are upset they didn't receive one especially when it's not the teacher who has caused the upset.
DD is only 5 though so I suppose in the older classes the children understand that they'll receive a card from friends and not everybody else.

We get our lists from the parents in the class WhatsApp

I'm now wondering whether the class tea towel DS brought home yesterday breaches GDRP rules. Not only does it have first names, but also an image of the child .

Luckily you would need a miracle to recognize any of the children from that image. But perhaps the tea towel should just have "Child WF17.456", "Child WF17.682", and all the facial features redacted? Something to think about for next year.

Schools aren't allowed- it isn't their decision, it is a rule imposed on them. They aren't allowed share just first names either. I appreciate some do, but none are allowed to. It is GDPR but also safeguarding, there are children who have abusive adults who don't know where they go to school. Some children have distinctive first names. But anyway, whether you agree or disagree with the rule, worth bearing in mind it isn't down to the school.

@00100001, it isn't that the child doesn't know, it's to allow for correct spelling. It's useful if a child has pronounciation speech issues etc.
My GC school still puts class lists on the parent Portal. Full names are announced when someone wins something as well.

We get a class list with names, addresses and contact phone numbers for the whole class and the teachers. If there's an emergency notice (e.g. the teacher decides to take them into the forest the following day) she calls the fist person on the list, who calls the second etc until the last person calls her back. If you hadn't guessed, I'm not in the UK!

We also get an email every time someone linked to the school tests positive naming the child and class or parent, child and class if it's a parent who tests positive

Our school has sent an email saying they won’t send out a list of first names ‘because of GDPR’. Madness in my opinion and it makes things harder for those with children who are non verbal/speech difficulties/learning difficulties.

@ivykaty44

how would it be breeching GDPR? its a list of first names that are non identifiable, that your child would know anyway.

Is it needed, for the Childs enjoyment of a tradition of sending cards

would the ICO deem it a breech and how and why?

Not all first names are non-identifyable. Some are very unique/distinctive. Some children have abusive adults who don't know where they go to school for their own protection. If the list is shared, it could fall into the wrong hands. That is one reason behind it. Likely? No. Possible? Yes. So not worth the risk for the sake of Christmas cards.

The programme from the Nativity in reception is your friend!

Our school handed out a list of first names for all the kids in the class.

One teacher does (first names - but since half the flipping school are Holly/Sienna or Mia it's fairly easy - I have never seen a school with name duplication like it!), the other doesn't - but has scribbled them down for us as we're new to the school so don't know the cohort (tiny school who've basically all been in the same class since reception).

But seriously, some people in this thread need to get a grip.

'Some people' are only stating what is fact. Is it crazy in the context we're talking about here? Maybe. Do people need to 'get a grip' because they have a better understanding of GDPR than others? I don't think so.

First names are not sensitive information in this scenario.
It's not that straight forward. First names can be considered identifiable information, especially when combined with other snippets of information.

If your kid does not know their names why are you sending them Christmas cards and party invites?

[quote Makingnumber2]@RosesAndHellebores have re-read your comment, sorry baby brain in full flow over here. In state schools in England the rules are made by the Headteacher, senior management team and signed off and approved by the governing body. The community and realistically parent/carers get zero say in it. When schools look to change a policy e.g. uniform or behaviour there may be a lip service style 'consultation' with other school staff and parents/carers, however in my experience this is more for show and the policy proposed is ratified, without amendments, by governors. I shouldn't imagine schools have a specific Christmas card/birthday invite policy in writing- perhaps some do, in which case it is down to school's discretion how they facilitate this type of thing and to what extent. Bottom line for me is my child is at school to learn- I want their teachers to be using any time not with the children to mark, prep, plan, engage with meaningful CPD etc. I don't want them wasting time on writing names on envelopes, creating name lists etc. for this type of thing. Cards are nice- but it's the parent/carer responsibility to sort out- not the school. Get on the gate and get handing out is the solution to this issue in my mind.[/quote]
This would come under the "operational" heading and therefore decision making stops with the head, no governor approval needed. So if anyone is unhappy about a situation like this they should contact the HT.

@NannaMcPhoo

If your kid does not know their names why are you sending them Christmas cards and party invites?

To be inclusive and friendly. To make sure it isn't the same child/children accidentally left out by everyone (as happens when parties get smaller, some children end up with no invitations at all). Because some 5yr olds (or older) don't have good memories so can't reel off 29 names accurately, and certainly can't spell and remember the difference between Lily and Lilly, or Cailtin and Kaytlyn)

Safeguarding and GDPR are not the same thing. Safeguarding is child protection, GDPR is privacy. Names alone are highly unlikely to breach GDPR unless connected with other information.