What Message does this give out?

I was profoundly depressed by this article on the BBC Education website today. I wonder what thinking lay behind the notion that it would be a good idea to put photos of children on to the school website, and then blur their faces? I have always felt that a good school website should celebrate the achievements and successes of a school, and this should include pictures of children - after all that's what schools are about. Green Park Primary School in Maghull is an excellent example of a school that uses photographs extensively to celebrate the excellence that goes on within its walls. By all means discuss what's right for your school at a local level, but I would suggest that a sensible policy might include:

• no linking of names to images
• group photos only
• allow parents to opt out of having their child appear on the school's website
• consider whether "at risk" children should appear at all

Surely in the case of the Essex school above, a "no photos" policy would be better than the faceless and slightly uncomfortable message that rubbing out faces gives. I wonder what the children think about it? But I guess they weren't asked.

Comments

[Peter Rafferty]

My sentiments exactly John.