Child Safeguarding. Nativity Play. No Photos Of Donkeys??

[EDDIE51]

Just been to my grandchilds Nativity play.
Told no photography. Took a few pictures of my own grandchild anyway.
Teacher came up to me and said if I had any pictures of the 'Donkeys' (children in donkey costumes) it was VITAL that they were deleted due to 'child safeguarding '
Can anyone explain why it is so VITAL to child safeguarding that no photos of kids in donkey costumes in a child's nativity play are taken?

[Zacs-Master]

Why didn't you ask?

[EDDIE51]

I did ask, the teacher just repeated 'It's because of Child Safeguarding and it is really important !'

[gness]

Could you see the child's face, Eddie?

We had an issue at our school where the father of one child wasn't to know where the child was....mum and kids moved for safety.....

I suppose anyone taking photos could have put them on FB etc for all to see....

Shame I know.....but it's what happens.....x

[Barmaid]

I can only pontificate that there may be a child protection issue. An acquantaince of mine had to leave her native town with her three children and assume a new name because of her absolutely mental former husband (who has vowed to hunt her down and kill her when he gets out of prison for the last attempt).

Save for anything like that, I do think that this whole "you must take pictures of kids in a nativity for child safeguarding" is a bit nonsensical. Yes I accept we have to protect children, but fgs, they are dressed as donkeys!!!!

[anneasquith]

I'd say a child protection issue , I noticed you took pictures a anywy as I think more and more parents/guardians are, yesterday on Facebook videos of children's nativity plays were posted.

[EDDIE51]

Thanks barmaid your explanation makes sense ( sort of)
You could see the faces. I expect it is that one of the 'donkeys' is subject to a protection order. Still seems harsh though.
As a keen photographer for over 50 years I am starting to feel like an outcast sometimes now. But the daft thing is almost everyone in the audience had a mobile phone that could be easily be used for photos with little chance of being 'caught out'. I was using a 'Proper' camera!

[EDDIE51]

I was far from the only one taking photos. I saw two Mum's video the entire play on their mobile phones but no one else got warned about donkey photos!

[EDDIE51]

^ My wife has just checked FB and guess what ? one video is already posted !

[Patsy33]

Doesn't make sense when you think of all the children that are posted on FB by parents......

[Zacs-Master]

with or without donkeys?

[EDDIE51]

^ I have not looked but as the Donkeys were part of the play I don't think the Mum has edited them out! Very much doubt she would know how to edit it anyway!

[2sp_]

My children's school ask that parents don't post photos of anyone else's children. I do post the odd (in all senses of the word) photo of mine, but I make sure that any other child is cropped out.

It's really sad, but these rules are there to protect vulnerable children.

[EDDIE51]

Bit different from 20 or so years ago, when once other parents saw that I had a 'decent' camera rather than a point and shoot they would ask me to take some pictures of their kids as well as my own!

[Just-Jude]

We should erect large screens around all our schools so the children can't be seen. School transport should also have all their windows blacked out, that includes parents cars.

The government did this to protect the children arriving from Calais, this should be standard practice throughout the UK.

[EDDIE51]

Well, just went back to the school for other grandchild's play.
Been told I am now banned from further plays as I broke the photo rules!

[woofgang]

have you mentioned all the pics on facebook Eddie?

[237SJ]

^ I hope you showed them the Facebook posts and pointed out how unfair they are being by targeting you

[tamborine]

Was there an official phographer to ply his trade, whose toes you could have trode on?

[woofgang]

If the school was serious about child safeguarding (as they should be if there is a child at risk) then they should have been much more up front with all the audience....maybe also offering a photo op after the show for those who wished it.

[EDDIE51]

They did a photo op after the end of the play. With all the kids there including the Donkeys , which makes it seem all the more bizarre!