Shocked to have been secretly recorded at work.

[Whataninvasionofprivacy]

I work as a TA in school, and last week at the end of a lesson, the teacher called me over and indicated (behind the kid’s backs) to the class cupboard. She then whispered “Will you turn off the iPad?” I wasn’t sure what she was on about, but she then whispered that she’d just recorded the entire lesson, but didn’t want the kids to know. She had been told to do this by a senior staff member.

Am I being ridiculous to feel annoyed by this? I’m sure I should have been told beforehand. Also what about parents who don’t normally consent, they had no choice in this case.

What if they don’t sign for it?

Well then they don’t attend that school I think it is a no brainer. Not for general public more for the school and parents to be able to watch

So education should only be available to those prepared to let random adults watch their children?

Consent doesn’t work like that. It must be freely given. If you say “sign this” or you cannot come to this school then you’re going to have difficulty arguing that the consent is valid. It’s why there is so much discussion in the issue of consent as legal basis in an employer/ee relationship.

It's completely normal to record practice for professional development. Coaches can talk through exact moments with teachers and examples can be used as role modelling. Lesson recordings are only ever used to help people get better at the millions of decisions they make to educate kids as best as possible with limited time and resources and it comes from a good place.

Perceived ‘Normal’ and ‘legal’ are not the same thing.

Apologies @Megifer I replied before seeing it. I'm sure we've all argued something at some point then found out we weren't quite right. I know I have.

At least you've gone off and checked and acknowledged you were misinformed. So many people won't even do that.

Photography consent and GDPR relates to sharing of images, not the making of them.
Even if it did, most things would fall under the legitimate reasons exemption.
No different to cctv

this is not true.

GDPR applies to an organisations processing of personal data. Processing includes the capture and storage of data.

it would be extremely difficult to argue that the legitimate interests of the school (to what? ensure their teachers are well trained) overrode the fundamental rights and freedoms of the 30 school children and a TA, especially given the question of proportionality.

supervisory authorities and the edpb have been churning advice on this for years.

It is legal for a teachers in a school to look at children in that school, but lack of staff and full timetables mean supportive observations can't take place as they used to. The OP's issue has seriously been ignored by people thinking their kids shouldn't be filmed.

I should have said it would be a professional courtesy for the TA to be informed, but it's not really covert to catch anyone out and should actually be expected. The teacher will have been doing it for her own role. Focussing on her choices. And even her direction of the TA. The kids will be in the recording because it's teaching and learning. Observation only really tells you much when you look at the impact of what the adult does on the children. It's good evidence for what happens, not what you think happens e.g. I asked great questions I planned meticulously and all the answers were right so my explanations must have been pitched well and the kids were all ready to move on - actually look, you only asked the same four kids who always put their hand up because they were sure they knew, so you didn't check everyone. How can we sample more of them or all of them? Look at this clip of how multiple choice hinge questions on mini whiteboards worked to expose misconceptions in their maths lesson yesterday...

It's not to punish anyone or judge anyone, and the kids are exactly as safe as they were without the iPad.

As a heads up, as more roles can't be filled by anything but unqualified teachers, training providers are insisting on tech like IRIS being used in every lesson for remote quality assurance. Instant feedback for inexperienced teachers is doing the best for the children.

To be fair to teachers. Parents are hideous nowadays. No way should they be under constant surveillance from 30 odd people.

Totally incorrect. Any data processing is captured, recording, storing even deleting personal information (including images) is processing

None of this matters. What happened here is not legal.

The OP's issue has seriously been ignored by people thinking their kids shouldn't be filmed

the OPs issue (assuming she is on the tape) is she has been covertly filmed without her knowledge.

many posters have advised her why this is wrong. it is you who is ignoring her issue by repeatedly giving your opinion on what the legal position should be rather than engaging with what it actually is.

I think people are missing that it was an AUDIO recording if it was made from within a cupboard!
How are the childre identifiable.

Not sure how it is in the UK but under data protection rules you can not record anyone at work here in Germany unless you have their explicit consent - which can be withdrawn at any time and the recording must be destroyed. One person says "no" there is no recording.

As OP was working as a TA this would never be allowed. (tbh in OPs position i may have accidentally deleted it while i was switching it off)

You don’t think audio of voices is personally identifiable data?

I sincerely hope that you don’t deal with personal data given your woeful lack of understanding

It does not matter.

but if you are in an area where CCTV is in operation there must be clear signs that this is the case.

Children notwithstanding - if someone covertly recorded me at work, i would be reporting it as a data breach.

Some posters yes, but most only think their precious kids can't be filmed.

It's actually really likely will be being and it won't have caused them any harm.

Parental permission isn't necessary if just going to be viewed internally.

I wouldn't be annoyed. Maybe it'll make you perform to your best if you now realise this is a possibility.

Kids cannot be filmed in these circumstances without their consent.

edited to add: which may need to be provided by parents dependent on age/location

Are you saying you are unable to identify someone from their voice?

You can see why the public has such a poor opinion of teachers. I don’t agree with the sentiment but I can see how. The examples on this thread are prime for why teachers end up getting “bashed.”

What happened here is not legal and it breaches GDPR. No matter what pretty policy, with logos your SLT dreamt up. The fingers in the ears and the justification of something that is not ok - it’s mind boggling. From supposedly educated professionals.

You can see why the public has such a poor opinion of teachers. I don’t agree with the sentiment but I can see how. The examples on this thread are prime for why teachers end up getting “bashed.”

couldn’t agree with this more.

the arrogance of teachers on this thread continuing to argue that they know best is astonishing. Does the fact that you are being disagreed with not give you pause for thought? Are you not curious to enquire further? The mind truly boggles.