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Secondary education

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Original poster

Teachers taking photos outside of school

195 replies

Always2022 · 17/09/2022 15:20

Hoping that somebody on here might be able to throw some light on a subject for me. Does anybody know the legalities of a Headteacher taking a photograph of a student after school and outside of the school grounds? I think she was hoping to catch out my ds (16) who is currently suspended for walking out of a class (not for anything violent, but he's clashing with his teacher and has very low tolerance at the moment). He was returning some trainers to a friend after school (outside of the grounds) and turned around to see the Headteacher taking photos of him! My instinct is that it can't be legal but I'm struggling to find the definitive answer to this via their policies on their website.
If anybody has any thoughts or even better knows what the legal standpoint would be, I'd be really grateful if you could comment on this post. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Pumperthepumper · 17/09/2022 19:24

Johnnysgirl · 17/09/2022 19:24

Eh? What's special about him, as opposed to the other several hundred students?

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Well, are the other students all walking out of class?

Johnnysgirl · 17/09/2022 19:26

Pumperthepumper · 17/09/2022 19:24

Well, are the other students all walking out of class?

Show quote history

I asked what was special about him.

Pumperthepumper · 17/09/2022 19:26

Johnnysgirl · 17/09/2022 19:26

I asked what was special about him.

Show quote history

He’s walking out of class.

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:27

Always2022 · 17/09/2022 19:06

@itsgettingweird
My goodness - what an ordeal you've been through, and your ds. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for seeing the perspective that I was trying to put across.
And most of all, congratulations for fighting so vehemently to get your ds properly supported - what great parenting!

I'm a great believer that you don't get to be the parent you want to be - you'll be the one you have to be!

And my ds recently became a British para champion.

Don't let anyone write your child off. With the right support they can achieve great things - some just take longer, a different path and/or need a different type of upbringing to get there.

I wouldn't have thought my ds would ever look at anyone again 6 years ago - let alone race at a packed sports event live streamed on tv.

But I never stopped believing it could be possible.

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:29

Johnny's girl please tell me you are not a teacher - don't work in a school - or in fact don't ever have anything to do with children.

And let's hope if good forbid you ever have troubles with your MH and managing yourself that you get better support in RL you're willing to extend OP and her child online.

Hercisback · 17/09/2022 19:30

He's 16, why can he not see his friends at the weekend?

I think you have been a bit naive (with good intentions) and this could be giving him the wrong impression. We all make mistakes and handle things badly. But a 3 day suspension this soon into the year must have come from something pretty serious. Being 16 I guess he's in Y11 so a managed move would be incredibly tricky with options choices, exam boards etc.

I hope he reintegrates well and school have a supportive plan.

Johnnysgirl · 17/09/2022 19:32

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:29

Johnny's girl please tell me you are not a teacher - don't work in a school - or in fact don't ever have anything to do with children.

And let's hope if good forbid you ever have troubles with your MH and managing yourself that you get better support in RL you're willing to extend OP and her child online.

I have children 🤷🏻‍♀️

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:33

Hercisback · 17/09/2022 19:30

He's 16, why can he not see his friends at the weekend?

I think you have been a bit naive (with good intentions) and this could be giving him the wrong impression. We all make mistakes and handle things badly. But a 3 day suspension this soon into the year must have come from something pretty serious. Being 16 I guess he's in Y11 so a managed move would be incredibly tricky with options choices, exam boards etc.

I hope he reintegrates well and school have a supportive plan.

I'm not convinced it does.

He served his punishment. It ended. He met his friends at the park.

The only message I can see it sends is that you are now trusting him to make good choices and respect him for sucking the punishment up.

Rogue1001MNer · 17/09/2022 19:35

@Always2022
I appreciate this isn't the point of your thread, but you have beautiful manners.

I wish you and your DS lots of luck with this situation moving forwardFlowers

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:35

Well johnnysgirl I hope if they ever struggle with life you support them rather than solely punish them for it.

It's the most heartbreaking thing as a parent to watch your child crumble and then watch those around them who should be supporting them chip away even further at what little self esteem and confidence they have left.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Original poster
Always2022 · 17/09/2022 19:35

@noblegiraffe It was not on school grounds and not in school hours. My point isn't to attack the HT, it was asking a perspective as I've never been in this position before, but I'm quickly learning!

OP posts:
Hercisback · 17/09/2022 19:35

It's not making a good choice to see your friends outside the school gate though.

I'd agree if it was the day after. But 15 mins after school ends appears deliberately provocative (towards school). If my child had a suspension they'd be in the house for the full 3 days and nights.

Johnnysgirl · 17/09/2022 19:39

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:35

Well johnnysgirl I hope if they ever struggle with life you support them rather than solely punish them for it.

It's the most heartbreaking thing as a parent to watch your child crumble and then watch those around them who should be supporting them chip away even further at what little self esteem and confidence they have left.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

I don't know why you've taken issue with me like this, I was responding to Pumper's odd posts about why it was understandable that he behaved like this, when he was subjected to rules made by adults. As if this alone explained all behaviours.
I haven't been derogatory about whatever op's son is going through.

Original poster
Always2022 · 17/09/2022 19:42

@itsgettingweird
"Well johnnysgirl I hope if they ever struggle with life you support them rather than solely punish them for it.
It's the most heartbreaking thing as a parent to watch your child crumble and then watch those around them who should be supporting them chip away even further at what little self esteem and confidence they have left.
I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

You're so right here. I honestly don't realise now how my post has come across as not seeing the problem that my son getting into trouble, but I do!
It really is a balancing act between keeping the boundaries and keeping the communication going with regards to the core problem.

I know that some parents have a better grip on their children's behaviours and I always thought I would too, but we also have other issues with our son which has had to be considered at each turn.

OP posts:
Original poster
Always2022 · 17/09/2022 19:46

@Hercisback
"It's not making a good choice to see your friends outside the school gate though.
I'd agree if it was the day after. But 15 mins after school ends appears deliberately provocative (towards school). If my child had a suspension they'd be in the house for the full 3 days and nights."

It categorically was not an act of provocation, but I accept that only we know that is true and I can't blame for school for thinking it might be.
Making an assumption though without the facts, isn't a fair deal.
He remained away from the school and all his friends for 3 days.
In hindsight, I should have encouraged any meeting to take place later and further away from the school.

OP posts:
Original poster
Always2022 · 17/09/2022 19:48

@Rogue1001MNer
"I appreciate this isn't the point of your thread, but you have beautiful manners.
I wish you and your DS lots of luck with this situation moving forward"
That's really kind of you to say so!

OP posts:
Hercisback · 17/09/2022 19:48

You've made an assumption the HT took a photo...

I'd critically reflect on how any of your other actions may have given your son the impression that you back his behaviour. You can do this without jeopardising communication.

itsgettingweird · 17/09/2022 19:53

I know that some parents have a better grip on their children's behaviours and I always thought I would too, but we also have other issues with our son which has had to be considered at each turn.

They don't have a grip on their child's behaviour better than you.

They have children who haven't got issues that they are communicating through behaviour.

I work with children with SEMH. They come from all sorts of backgrounds with all sorts of parents.

Some have been model pupils for years and then suddenly change.

Believe me. Having concerns that no one will support your child after punishment to move onwards and upwards is a real fear parents have. I've experienced it myself which is why I went for this position and why I'm so passionate about it.

And why I butt heads with some of the school staff in some of the schools I do outreach for Grin

Most people in education are perfectly great at their job. I wouldn't do it for all the tea in China and I feel sorry for the teachers dealing with these pupils behaviour whilst trying to teach a class.

But I hate it when you meet a few who won't even try and meet a child and their family halfway and focus on the future and support and get stuck in the "but they did this".

I'm sure they've all done things they wish they hadn't and wouldn't want people defining them by it.

Duchess379 · 17/09/2022 19:55

I'd be more concerned with your sons behaviour rather than the headmistress taking pictures of him. 💁🏼

PriamFarrl · 17/09/2022 19:58

Hercisback · 17/09/2022 19:30

He's 16, why can he not see his friends at the weekend?

I think you have been a bit naive (with good intentions) and this could be giving him the wrong impression. We all make mistakes and handle things badly. But a 3 day suspension this soon into the year must have come from something pretty serious. Being 16 I guess he's in Y11 so a managed move would be incredibly tricky with options choices, exam boards etc.

I hope he reintegrates well and school have a supportive plan.

Well it wasn’t the weekend was it. It was after school, which it usually a week day.

Hercisback · 17/09/2022 20:00

He could have not seen them on the Friday and met up with them over the weekend.

Why did he need to see them on the Friday?

PriamFarrl · 17/09/2022 20:02

It looks like I’ve mentioned trainers as an excuse to let my child break the rules – this is not the case and actually the trainers weren’t the main reason for him being there – he really wanted to see his friend and felt that outside of the school and after the ban that this would not be breaking the rules – he is not a rule-breaker, nor an antagoniser

Being away from his friends is part of the punishment.

Sherrystrull · 17/09/2022 20:08

Have I missed the reason your ds walked out of class?

Original poster
Always2022 · 17/09/2022 20:14

@Hercisback
"I think you have been a bit naive (with good intentions) and this could be giving him the wrong impression. We all make mistakes and handle things badly. But a 3 day suspension this soon into the year must have come from something pretty serious. Being 16 I guess he's in Y11 so a managed move would be incredibly tricky with options choices, exam boards etc.
I hope he reintegrates well and school have a supportive plan."
I think you're probably right about me being naive.. and yes my intentions I know are genuine (and believe me I spend a LOT of time thinking all this over) Now I need to work out the best way to support my boys whilst reinforcing the behavioural boundaries.
Thanks for your wishes.

OP posts:
berksandbeyond · 17/09/2022 20:14

I feel like you should try putting more effort into bringing up your child rather than trying to fight the school