Parents Banned from Photographing Children

[zinnanti]

Hi All -

This article is a little scant on the details. However, if it is accurate, it appears things are becoming curiously repressive in the U.K.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5560978/Parents-banned-from-taking-pictures-of-their-own-children-at-sports-day.html

 

[Photo Engineer]

The photo shown in the article is therefore illegal as well.

PE

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

The photo shown in the article is therefore illegal as well.

PE

Only if it was taken by a parent of one of the children.

 

[Thomas Wilson]

Ah yes, the Nanny State knows what's best for the (their) children. At the rate we're going in this country, children (and some adults) will be required to don knee & elbow pads and helmets before joining a government chaperon for a leisurely stroll to the mall.

 

[hoffy]

What disturbs me the most about that article is there are some people willing to accept this as "Oh well, I suppose thats the way its heading".

UK has to be by far the worse for this kind of Political Correctness?

 

[Ian David]

Sadly, this stuff does occasionally happen and the introduction of such measures by schools is, in my view, clearly absurd and should be resisted. However, the English press is probably just as bad as the Australian press in digging up bizarre stories from obscure places and presenting them as if they are representative of something that is happening everywhere. A free press is rarely free of bias, sensationalism and cynicism.

 

[railwayman3]

Sadly, this stuff does occasionally happen and the introduction of such measures by schools is, in my view, clearly absurd and should be resisted. However, the English press is probably just as bad as the Australian press in digging up bizarre stories from obscure places and presenting them as if they are representative of something that is happening everywhere. A free press is rarely free of bias, sensationalism and cynicism.

I'd rather have a free press, warts and all, than any alternative. God knows that most of the so-called Government in this country (of all political parties) are total control-freaks and satire, mockery and cynicism is far better than just shrugging your shoulders and accepting.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

From the article;

"It is all to do with the pictures getting into the wrong hands and the school has to follow its own code of conduct. "I am sure the school do not like it just as much as we do."

In another year or two, most of the kids will voluntarily plaster their pictures all over Facebook anyway.

 

[railwayman3]

To take this restriction on photographs of children to its logical conclusion, the Government must surely ban every single image which includes a child....comics. magazines, books, catalogues, and, of course, no-one under 18 could appear in any film, tv programme or website. :rolleyes:

 

[perkeleellinen]

Church of England school. This decision would come from the headmistress and the governors, who, as this is a voluntary aided school, would be appointed, presumably by the CoE diocese.

From the article:

"A spokesman for the Devon local education authority said: "It's a decision which individual head teachers come to, usually with consultation with governors."

 

[zinnanti]

. . . the English press is probably just as bad as the Australian press in digging up bizarre stories from obscure places and presenting them as if they are representative of something that is happening everywhere.

That's actually a good point. I do some consulting for the press here in the Los Angeles market and the same thing happens. On the other hand, it would be interesting to know how wide spread this is.

In my time practicing law, there is one important thing I've learned about politicians. They are interested in two things: (1) hanging on to their power and (2) expanding their power. The only way to combat the resulting abuse is sustained, organized political pressure. The courts, as a manner of holding these things in check, are totally dysfunctional. The courts tend to just be the instrument of political agenda.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The school over reacted without thinking. Since it is a private school, probably nothing can be done. They would have an "if you do not like it, leave" attitude.

If it were a public school, the could be legal recourse.

Steve

 

[2F/2F]

The school sounds like a private school.

Assuming it is, they should, therefore, be able to make such rules, no matter how idiotic they may be.

The next time I hear a private school parent complain about something, I am going to puke. At least the ones quoted in the article seem to know the score. You *decided* to put your kid there. For whatever reason, you decided it was worth the money. With that choice, you gain some things and you lose some things. If you don't like the rules, find another school.

If it is a public school...well, I don't know the law in England as well as I know it here...but we shall see what happens, hopefully.

 

[2F/2F]

The photo shown in the article is therefore illegal as well.

PE

It is likely a stock or a file photograph. It is not captioned in accordance with generally-accepted journalism industry standards, and is simply credited as "GETTY". Two telltale signs of stock or file images (or plain-ol' shoddy journalism...or both).

 

[perkeleellinen]

If it were a public school, the could be legal recourse.

Steve

The curious nature of British schools. This is a public school, although in the UK, 'public school' is what most people would think of as 'private school'. And again, in a UK context 'private school' is used for a different type of school than a public school (private school).

Public school - fee paying school
Private school - privately owned schools
Grammar school - selective school
State school - non selective state school

The school in question is the latter, although it's a Church of England school which means the church funds it by around 10%.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I got carried away and thought that English and American are the same language.

Silly me.

Steve

 

[PeteZ8]

I'm SO glad I don't live in the UK. I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but the more I hear about the UK the more I am afraid for them. It seems everything over there is either restricted or banned these days. Very, very scary.

 

[2F/2F]

I'm SO glad I don't live in the UK. I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but the more I hear about the UK the more I am afraid for them. It seems everything over there is either restricted or banned these days. Very, very scary.

Europe is definitely different. More free in many ways (socially, culturally, interpersonally, much different - and IMO more healthy - take on taboos), yet also more strict in many ways (legally, law enforcement, police violence, etc.) Police don't often shoot people in Europe, but in my unfortunate experience, they beat the hell out of them unwarned in plain public view for relatively minor transgressions, such as walking on a grassy area that is not supposed to be walked on, or cutting in line. Actually, that is most of the world, and we Americans are really the weirdos. Following the rules is not really our strong point...it makes us cranky!

 

[Steve Smith]

If it were a public school, the could be legal recourse.

Just to complicate matters, private schools in the UK are known as public schools! I have no idea why.

EDIT: I should have read further. This has already been explained!


Steve.

 

[Steve Smith]

I'm SO glad I don't live in the UK. I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but the more I hear about the UK the more I am afraid for them. It seems everything over there is either restricted or banned these days. Very, very scary.

It's not as bad as the press make out. We sometimes have similar views of the US and I'm sure it's not as bad as the press make out either.

The media only want to report negatives. Good positive stories are hardly ever reported.


Steve.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

The media only want to report negatives. Good positive stories are hardly ever reported.
Steve.

No difference here in the U.S. "Negative" seems to sell better than "Positive."

 

[mjs]

I'm curious; everyone in the UK is supposed to be so polite and all that. What would happen if you were a parent at this school and whipped a camera out of your handbag and began taking pictures of your kid? I'm sure someone would come up and tell you to stop or leave; what would happen if you told them 'no' or just ignored them? Would they follow you around, continuing to ask politely, call the police, gang-tackle you and heave you bodily over the wall, or what?

Mike

 

[2F/2F]

I'm curious; everyone in the UK is supposed to be so polite and all that.

Have you ever been to the U.K? New Yorkers are the closest American equivalent that I can drum up in my mind...Londoners, anyhow......some of the most in-your-face, outgoing, loud, heart-on-their-sleeve people I've ever met...and I was based in the posh area of Chiswick. Due to a bad experience, I say the folks up in Manchester are even rougher around the collar! I was afraid I was going to get knifed in a pub up there for no reason whatsoever, just by being an unfortunate bystander. Despite how seedy and aggressive many American bargoers can be, I have never actually feared for my safety except for that one time in Manchester.

...and I LOVE New Yorkers and Brits!

 

[Andrew Moxom]

Having been born, raised, and lived in the UK for 29 years, I have seen that great country be turned into a complete bureaucratic nanny state. Having lived in the US for 15 years now, I would never contemplate living back in the UK. Sure I like to visit family and be a tourist for a while, but what is evident in the short time here, is that US citizens have massive amounts of freedom and opportunities than would ever fly in the UK or rest of Europe. I am so glad I live here now. This type of stupid law making in the 'old country' never surprises me anymore. Caution is still needed though as there are many folks in this great country that would love to adopt similar laws as a way of controlling the people. So that we don't go down the political rathole as that is verboten here, I will just say that we have it really good in the US, and I would not change it for anything. As has been said, the press in the UK is very beligerant and the spindoctoring they do is some time completley untrue and out of context. Much like the AP here is often misquoting, and misrepresenting facts. The truly sad fact is that most people just go along with it and eventually believe it.

my .02

A.

 

[c6h6o3]

Doubleplusgood! We here at the Ministry of Truth applaud the proactive approach taken by Mrs Ethelston's Church of England Primary School. It can only enhance our National Security. Long Live Big Brother!