Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
OUR LADY IMMACULATE CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEO IMAGES
We believe this policy should be a working document that is fit for purpose, represents the school ethos, enables
consistency and quality across the school and is related to the following legislation:
▪ Children Act 1989
▪ Education Act 1996
▪ Data Protection Act 1998
▪ Human Rights Act 1998
▪ Education Act 2002
▪ Children Act 2004
▪ Safeguarding Children: Working Together Under the Children Act 2004 (2006) (Wales)
▪ Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
▪ Education and Inspections Act 2006
▪ Children and Young Persons Act 2008
▪ Equality Act 2010
▪ Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
▪ Special Educational Needs and Disability (Detained Persons) Regulations 2015
The following documentation is also related to this policy:
▪ Equality Act 2010: Advice for Schools (DfE)
▪ Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 Years. Statutory Guidance for
Organisations Who Work With and Support Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs
and Disabilities (DfE) and (DoH)
▪ Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and other Staff: Guidance for Local Authorities,
Headteachers, School Staff, Governing Bodies and Proprietors of Independent Schools (DfE)
▪ Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges (DfE)
▪ Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the
Welfare of Children
We believe there is no law stopping parents from taking photographs of their children at school events as
photographs taken purely for personal use are exempt from the Data Protection Act 1998.
Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
We understand that photographs taken for official school use and stored electronically with other personal data
may be covered by the Data Protection Act 1998. We will take a common sense approach by informing and
seeking the permission of pupils and their parents before any form of publication.
We will inform parents when the school has given permission for an official press photographer to take
photographs during a school event which will then appear in the local press or in some other publication.
We believe this policy complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and also allows parents/carers
to capture those precious moments when their children are taking part in school events. However, we still feel
it courteous to seek the permission of parents/carers when we want to use images of their children in the school
prospectus, on the school website, be used on a webcam for internal school use only, appear in printed
educational publications, or appear on a professional video that will later be sold to raise money for the school.
We will ensure that photographs taken in school or off-site by school personnel of pupils working or taking part
in school events will only be taken by using a school camera. Under no circumstance will a member of the
school personnel use their mobile phone to photograph pupils or to send the image to parents.
We believe we have a duty to prevent the unauthorised taking and publication of images of school
personnel.
We wish to work closely with the School Council and to hear their views and opinions as we acknowledge
and support Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that children should be
encouraged to form and to express their views.
We as a school community have a commitment to promote equality. Therefore, an equality impact
assessment has been undertaken and we believe this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010.
We believe it is essential that this policy clearly identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all
those involved in the procedures and arrangements that is connected with this policy.
Aims
• To provide a common sense approach to the taking of photographic and video images of children during
school events.
• To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and Human Rights Act 1998.
• To work with other schools and the local authority to share good practice in order to improve this policy.
Responsibility for the Policy and Procedure
Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body:
▪ has delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure all school personnel and
stakeholders are aware of and comply with this policy;
▪ will decide the conditions that apply to the taking of photographs at all school events in order that
children are kept safe and that the performance is not disrupted and children and staff are not
distracted;
Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
▪ has a duty to prevent unauthorised taking and publication of images of school personnel;
▪ will protect the rights of school personnel by:
 banning the use of mobile photographic phones by pupils in school;
 where a parent takes a photograph of a member of the school personnel without that person’s
permission then we will request that the image is destroyed;
 obtaining their permission to use their photographic image on the school website or in a school
publication
▪ has responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;
▪ has nominated a designated Equalities governor to ensure that appropriate action will be taken to deal
with all prejudice related incidents or incidents which are a breach of this policy;
▪ has responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;
▪ has responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;
▪ make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;
▪ has responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;
▪ has the responsibility of involving the School Council in:
 determining this policy with the Governing Body;
 discussing improvements to this policy during the school year;
 organising surveys to gauge the thoughts of all pupils;
 reviewing the effectiveness of this policy with the Governing Body
▪ has nominated a link governor to:
 visit the school regularly;
 work closely with the Headteacher;
 ensure this policy and other linked policies are up to date;
 ensure that everyone connected with the school is aware of this policy;
 attend training related to this policy;
 report to the Governing Body every term;
 annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.
▪ has responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.
Role of the Headteacher
Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
The Headteacher will:
▪ ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;
▪ protect the rights of all children in the school;
▪ protect the rights of school personnel;
▪ work closely with the link governor;
▪ provide leadership and vision in respect of equality;
▪ make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;
▪ provide guidance, support and training to all staff;
▪ monitor the effectiveness of this policy by speaking with pupils, school personnel, parents and
governors;
▪ annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy.
Role of School Personnel
School personnel will:
▪ be aware that the Governing Body acknowledges that:
 school personnel have the right not to have their photograph taken without their express consent;
 under Article 8 of the Convention – Human Rights Act 1998 that individuals have the ‘right to
respect for private and family life.’ This right is infringed where images of employees are taken
without their consent, and especially where these images are manipulated or published without
their consent.
▪ not photograph pupils using their mobile phone;
▪ comply with all aspects of this policy;
▪ inform the Headteacher if photographic images have been taken of them without their consent;
▪ under no circumstance use their mobile phone to photograph pupils or to send the image to parents;
▪ be aware of all other linked policies;
▪ maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour within and outside school and not to undermine
fundamental British values;
▪ work in partnership parents and carers keeping them up to date with their child’s progress and
behaviour at school;
▪ implement the school’s equalities policy and schemes;
▪ report and deal with all incidents of discrimination;
▪ attend appropriate training sessions on equality;
Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
▪ report any concerns they have on any aspect of the school community.
Role of Pupils
Pupils will:
▪ be aware of and comply with this policy;
▪ not take photographs of any member of the school personnel without their consent;
▪ not post photographic images of any member of the school personnel without their consent on social
media;
▪ listen carefully to all instructions given by the teacher;
▪ ask for further help if they do not understand;
▪ treat others, their work and equipment with respect;
▪ support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure the smooth running of the
school;
▪ liaise with the school council;
▪ take part in questionnaires and surveys.
Parents/carers will:
▪ be aware of and comply with this policy;
Role of Parents
▪ be asked to complete the consent form so that images of their children may be used:
 in the school prospectus;
 on the school website;
 on video or webcam;
 in the media;
 appear in any printed educational publication;
 appear on a professional video that will later be sold to raise money for the school.
▪ not take photographic images of children when they are changing for any school event;
▪ not take photographs of any member of the school personnel without their consent;
▪ not post photographic images of any member of the school personnel without their consent on social
media;
Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
▪ be asked to take part periodic surveys conducted by the school;
▪ support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure smooth running of the school.
Raising Awareness of this Policy
We will raise awareness of this policy via:
▪ the School Handbook/Prospectus
▪ the school website
▪ the Staff Handbook
▪ meetings with parents such as introductory, transition, parent-teacher consultations and periodic
curriculum workshops
▪ school events
▪ meetings with school personnel
▪ communications with home such as weekly newsletters and of end of half term newsletters
▪ reports such annual report to parents and Headteacher reports to the Governing Body
▪ information displays in the main school entrance
Training
All school personnel:
▪ have equal chances of training, career development and promotion
▪ receive training on induction which specifically covers:
 All aspects of this policy
 Safeguarding and Child Protection
 Visitors and Contractors
 School Security
 Equal opportunities
 Inclusion
▪ receive periodic training so that they are kept up to date with new information
Approved by the Governing Body on: Autumn 2022
Date of Review: Autumn 2024
▪ receive equal opportunities training on induction in order to improve their understanding of the Equality
Act 2010 and its implications.
Equality Impact Assessment
Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a duty not to discriminate against people on the basis of their age,
disability, gender, gender identity, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
This policy has been equality impact assessed and we believe that it is in line with the Equality Act 2010
as it is fair, it does not prioritise or disadvantage any pupil and it helps to promote equality at this school.
Monitoring the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Policy
The practical application of this policy will be reviewed annually or when the need arises by the coordinator,
the Headteacher and the nominated governor.
A statement of the policy’s effectiveness and the necessary recommendations for improvement will be
presented to the Governing Body for further discussion and endorsement.
Linked Policies
▪ Data Protection Policy (Section 17 – 19).