St Mary’s Voluntary Catholic Primary Academy

Cameras inSchool Policy

At St Mary’s we Live, Love and Learn with the Guidance of God.

The Use of Cameras and Images Policy applies to the use of any film and electronic photographic equipment and includes mobile phones, devices with inbuilt cameras as well as other forms of digital technology and resources for printing and storing images. It is part of the custom and practice of the School to take photographs and moving images of School events and achievements (class photos, productions, sports events etc.) and to use some of these for the purposes of marketing the School (School prospectus, website, social media, press releases etc.) and helping others to understand more about our education. Parents sign with their consent form for this activity on admission to the School. This is reviewed and parents have the right to withdraw their consent at any time.

The policy recognises that photographing and publicising a child’s achievements are a source of celebration, pleasure and pride for the School, the child, the parents and wider family. The School is keen to ensure that this practice continues within the safe practice guidelines detailed below and in the eight data protection principles listed in Appendix 1.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following policies:

  • Code of Conduct
  • KCSIE
  • Child Protection
  • Mobile Phone Policy
  • Acceptable use
  • Use of Children’s Images

Safeguarding

  • Staff should be vigilant with regard to any Safeguarding issues relating to digital images/videos and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Team immediately.
  • Staff should report to the Safeguarding team any situation where they hear of or see any image being taken or recorded in inappropriate locations (toilets, changing rooms etc) or taking/recording images where the subject(s) are unaware of being filmed/photographed.

Written Permission and Holding of Data

  • Written permission from parents/carers will be obtained on admission to the School to allow the School to obtain, use and store images of their child for educational and publicity and marketing purposes.
  • A record of all consent details will be kept securely on file. Should permission be withdrawn the records will be adjusted accordingly.
  • Images will be kept securely and held by the School for the duration of the child’s time at School.
  • On leaving the School the parent/student may withdraw permission to retain images and should do so in writing to the Head Teacher. Records will be immediately altered.

Context

  • When taking digital images/video the emphasis should always be for educational or reporting purposes.
  • Care should be taken to ensure that the image/video cannot be taken out of context in a way that would reflect negatively on the pupil, staff member or School and that the dress and activity being recorded will not bring the School or individuals into disrepute.
  • Children will, in an age appropriate manner, be advised that the images will be used by the School as a record of events or for publicity purposes.
  • Images of children will not be used to illustrate controversial subjects.

School Equipment

  • Images/videos that include pupils or staff should only be taken using School supplied equipment.
  • Images taken on mobile phones, personal or schools, are not permitted.
  • School I pad’s may be used to record children’s learning but should not be used to share images of children via messaging or email services.
  • Sharing of images of children is not permitted via messaging and email services via any device.
  • No device should be used for any recording purposes unsupervised areas, cloakroom facilities, changing areas etc.
  • All school photographic equipment must be stored securely and all photographs must be cleared from devices on a weekly basis. This will be checked by the lead member of staff on a weekly basis.
  • All staff must sign an inventory for the equipment within their classroom and it is their responsibility to report any breaches or concerns to a member of the SLT.

Cameras and school trips

  • A school camera may to used to record children’s educational trips or visits. The camera must leave school with no images stored on the device.
  • Teachers may not take images of children their own personal mobile phones or cameras.
  • No photograph or moving image may be taken, under any circumstances, in changing rooms or toilets or other inappropriate or unsupervised areas.
  • In the event of misuse of cameras or camera phones the School disciplinary procedures will be followed.

Storage

  • Images of pupils/staff must be stored on a securely
  • Images of pupils/staff must never be stored on personal devices which includes (but is not limited to): mobile devices; laptops; internal camera memory; memory sticks or portable hard drives.

Publication

  • Digital content that is to be published will be carefully selected and authorised by the Head Teacher and appropriate consent is obtained and will, if necessary, check with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy(DSL) in appropriate circumstances.
  • Unless parental/student consent is obtained an image of a child/student will not be published in the media with the child’s name.
  • The School may decide to video a play or indoor performance for their own or for marketing purposes. With the specific consent of the relevant parent body, it may be possible for this recording to be made available to parents and children/students at a reasonable cost. 

Images Taken by Parents or Friends

  • Parents and friends often wish to take images of their child at School events. It is perfectly acceptable to take photographs for personal, private use. Parents should be aware that it is illegal to distribute such images and/or videos without the permission of the subject(s).
  • School will always remind parents that images are for their personal use and not to be shared on their personal social media.

Appendix 1

All images taken by the School will be used in a manner that respects the eight Data Protection Principles:

1. Fairly and lawfully processed

2. Processed for limited, specifically stated purpose

3. Used in a manner that is adequate, relevant and not excessive

4. Accurate and up to date

5. Kept on file for no longer than is necessary

6. Processed in line with an individual’s legal rights

7. Kept securely

8. Adequately protected if transferred to another country