Filming of school concerts by parents when you have looked after children in the school

[oen1]

I run an out of school activity for children who are mostly of primary age. We are performing in public this weekend and I know that the parents will want to record and take photos of the performance. We have one child in the group who is 'looked after' and she has been left out of any official photographs at the foster carer's request.

At my son's primary school the head tells all parents at the start that it's ok to record the performance but not to post these recordings on any social networking sites.

Does anyone know if this request would be appropriate when you have a looked after child in your school or is there a specific policy at your school covering this?

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks

i would not recommend using the LAC as a reason. a lot of children that are classed as LAC actually live with their families and are not at any risk.

Samcro, this child is definitely with foster carers and although they haven't told me any specific details there is a good (poor choice of word there sorry) reason why she can't be included in photos in the local paper and on our website.

A HT can ask for videos not to be posted and it would be polite for this not to happen but it cannot be reinforced. As a result the ht can with even one looked after child in a year group decree no photos or videos are allowed.

Not reinforced enforced

I run a similar activity (drama)

What I do us to send a note round several weeks in advance asking if anyone has any objections.

If they do I let parents know in advance that filming isn't allowed. I may if necessary use copyright as an excuse as some drama pieces the authors don't allow you to film them anyway.

There are certain events such as taking part in a local theatres annual festival where filming & photography is a condition if taking part so sadly anyone who can't agree can't take part in that particular event.

Thanks for the replies.

I've decided that official photos will be taken before the event when I can ensure the child will be in another room. I'm going to tell parents that no recording is to be done during the performance but photo opportunities will be available afterwards. Like HumpsLumps said, you can't trust people not to post things online. While they may have tight privacy settings, others may not and wouldn't think twice about sharing it.

It will also have the benefit of everyone having a good view without ipads blocking it (a whole different topic for another time).

Good compromise oep, very similar to what I do.

Could there be one official photo with the child in that only they get a copy of? Speak to the FC.

OP. If at all possible think about including the LAC in the taking of the official photos (maybe in consultation with the FC, they may not wish).

If you position them at one edge then you can take some photos to include them and some where they are omitted.

My DDs are adopted and for similar reasons I don't let them be in photos. But they hate it when they are obviously excluded. At one drama thing they more or less had the organiser saying "Right, everyone except Teen and Tween up on the stage for photos" - terrible!

(I also hate it when an organiser waits until 30seconds before the performance to ask "Does anyone object to photos?" even when they have had our non-permission slip when my DDs were registered for the classes.)

Just to put a different view point - is it fair to insist that parents don't film if other classes can be filmed and in the past they have been allowed to?

One of my friend's has a husband who is serving overseas in the Forces. As a result, he never gets to see any of his child's school assemblies, performances etc. She videos them for him so that 'daddy can watch too'.

Her daughter would be devastated if she couldn't do that - as it is, with her mother working, there is never a parent to come as a helper on trips or in in-school events. Her mother takes time off work to come to the performances as they are something she can then share with her husband.

Wouldn't it be better to get parents to sign a form stating that they won't post them on social media?

pyrrah It depends on how much you trust the other parents, and how great the risk is.

In our case for school performances, we are happy with the fact that the HT states clearly at the start that filming is OK but no social media. I generally trust the other parents, and in our case there is a risk, but more of upset than physical - we would cope if we had to.

However if I had reason to believe parents were posting on social media in an open way (eg friends of friends) then I would not be so amenable.

I think it's probably a lot easier if it's a school than an external activity - long-term captive parents who are more likely to respect safety issues and toe the line.

Dh has rarely been able to attend school performances due to being away with work most ofvthe time.

It never occured to me to try & film any.

Our primary doesn't allow filming now, so many were spoiling it by blocking views by standing or having iPads in the way. There are some children who don't have permission to be filmed or photographed. Photos of your own child are allowed after the event. Works well.

Similarly, we are not allowed to film or take photos during school performances (though are now allowed to take photos at the end of some events and the school takes, and sells, official photos for others). This was introduced largely due to safeguarding issues but also because there had to be a performance that could be filmed which excluded those children whose parents did not give permission for them to appear. In most classes AFAIK there are a couple of children who cannot appear in any photo that is available to anyone else, be it photos taken at school, sporting events etc, because permission has not been given. The administrative effort is a pain but the school does not feel there is any alternative.

Sorry to say we know from bitter experience even having parents sign to say they won't post photos / videos on social media sites they sign having no intention of keeping that promise and there is nothing we can legally do. We have asked offending parents to take the photos down and been told to sod off! We have long term parents who have had many children / cousins through the school and we are educating the children of ex-pupils. There is a great sense of community, but none of that helps. And worst of all it isn't just one or two parents. They feel their rights outrank all else.

Whilst I have every sympathy for pyrrah's friend's situation the need to keep a child/children safe is more important than their wants.

Well, luckily, the child was ill today and didn't attend. So we told parents it was ok to photograph/film the event, but asked that they didn't put on social media. I have a section on the membership form that specifically asks if parents give their consent for their child's photo to be on marketing materials for the group, and every parent there tonight has signed that it is ok.