Child's Photo Used In School Website Without Parental Consent

[greenpark]

I have just discovered that my son's photo has been desplayed in his school website since last September without my consent. I have never given to school permission to use his photo becuase of safety reason.
We fred Domestic Violence and started new life where we are currently residing. The perpetrator does not know where we are now. The head of school knows our situation.
I am very upset but I am not sure if school would take the matter seriously as there are lots of injustice going on in school. Also, I am not for a big argument with school because my son is SEN and he is settled in. I cannot change his school.
Do you have any idea how I can settle this problem. I do not want to fight but I want school to admit how serious the matter is.

[Prudie]

Do you have any idea how I can settle this problem? Yes, calmly ring the head tomorrow and ask for it to be removed (I'm surprised you weren't informed first).

[greenpark]

Thanks. I accidently found his photo on the website an hour ago when I was searching their adress to write an official complaint regarding another issue.
Tomorrow, I will hand in two letters to the Head.

[Tuvok]

Does the school not operate a policy of asking permission at start of term?

In my work, I always ask or have someone ask if anyone objects or is not permitted to have their photo taken.

I would also suggest you try the website tineye to see if the photo appears elsewhere on the web.

[factor-fiction]

You may find that the school's entry rules you agreed to allow the school to use photos taken in school, but even so the head should discuss what can be done here. Good luck

[DTCwordfan]

I agree with factor's assessment unless you had made it specifically clear

a copy of the letter re the use of the photo to the School Governors too, hopefully the original calmly outlining the situation and need for withdrawal.....

[greenpark]

Thanks, guys.
In the beginning of every academic year, school always ask to fill paretal consent form. And I have never given permission to them.
They wanted to use my son's photo for school annual report to parent last summer but I said,'no'. So, they removed his photo from printed report, but on their website, the photo is displayed.

[joko]

yes, go and see them, explain and demand the picture is removed - i am sure once they know the danger they could be placing you and your son in im sure they'll comply.

if they dont, involve the police - if they are risking your safety a polite word from the local plod will convince them

but i really doubt they will have an issue with it.

[karenmac60]

You may well have signed a permission form at the start of the school year which covers things like small day trips etc and also permission to take photos and use them on the website. The way these things are worded sometimes mean it's not completely obvious. They can cover a lot of things. Speak to the school and ask to revoke permission if it was given and ask them to remove the photo.

[greenpark]

Thanks, guys.

I grew up in another country where English is not the first language, sometimes I cannot clearly see situations. Sometimes I doubt my perceptions of things. For example, I think something seems wrong to me but may be right to people here.

Any way, thank you all. You encouraged me to do what I thought I would do to solve the matter.

[DominoK]

You problem seems to be serious... I really don't know what to do

[Mosaic]

A basic point for ensuring a child's safety from a shool's persepctive is to ensure no child can be individually identified in a photo online. This demands creative solutions but is by no means impossible.
However, I feel two common situations have led to this. One is that website development is usually hived off, either down the food chain in the school to a technician, or to an outside contractor. While both will have technical skills they don't understand the especial detail of child safety - all they see is a good mugshot.
And the second issue is, judging from your posts, your child may represent an interestingl ethnic difference that the school can then use as part of their image of inclusiveness. In the old days the head always wanted a girl and a coloured child on the front row when the press came callling.....well that's what's probably occurred with the website.
Headteacher's responsibility absolutely and needs pulling into line asap.