Nativity go ahead for parents

Schools in Greater Manchester have been told there are no laws banning parents from photographing or filming nativity plays. In recent years, some headteachers have wrongly claimed that the Data Protection Act prohibits family members from taking pictures of pupils at the annual Christmas performance.But the Wilmslow-based Information Commissioner's Office - which oversees the 1998 Act - has issued a guidance note to clear up any confusion in advance of this year's round of nativity plays.Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Bamford said: "The guidance has been issued to reassure friends and family members they can take photographs of their children and friends taking part in school activities for the family album without contravening the Data Protection Act. "They can also film events at schools. The Data Protection Act should not be wrongly cited to stop people taking photographs or filming videos."Four years ago, St James RC Primary School in Hattersley, Tameside, became one of the first schools in Greater Manchester to introduce such a ban, although it did not specifically cite the Data Protection Act. Then headteacher Barbara Robinson said she was following guidelines set down by the Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury, which governs the school, in response to "child protection" issues. Many parents supported the ban at the time, which came to light in the same week Ian Huntley was convicted of the murdering 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, but it has now been rescinded. Current head teacher Jackie Walker said: "Now we send out a permission slip to parents asking for their consent for their children to be photographed, at plays and for press and publicity. "I believe almost all the parents, if not all, have signed the form. We still don't like parents to take photos during a play because we think it's distracting, but we arrange a photo call after the performance." The Act does apply when photographs of children are taken for official use by a school or college for issuing identification passes and other reasons, but filming for private use is exempt from the legislation.

Source Manchester Evening News