Ive only just been informed of my childs sports day event at school which takes place next wed and thurs.
Its his last remaining days there at his junior school, before he starts the secondry school in sept.
And he is entered in nearly all the events as are all the other kids, so i would really like to film him at this event, but have to go round asking each parent if they'd mind if their child accidently appears on the film while i am filming my child.
(because of the new child laws)
I wondered what the best way of doing this would be.
As all the parents might not be there.

Any suggestions?
or anyone who has any more info on the laws.

Just film him... if any parent kicks up a fuss tell em to **** off :lol:

Perahps it would be easiest tackled via the governors?

Permission slips could be distributed through the school, and the school (or volounteers) could record the full races for purchase to raise school funds :thumbsup:

Its not really the parents who would object to the filming, but its the school, who say no one can film without permission from all the parents.
political correctness gone mad eh.

It's the same as speed bumps though - there's a reason :(

How is the school going to check that you have obtained this permission? Unless they require a list of signatures how are they going to prove that you've not been given verbal permission?

I don't think it's anything to do with political correctness though - more legal liability.

yes quite ,wrong turn of phrase perhaps.
I thought of asking the lady in the office if she would give out slips for the kids to take home and return with any objections but she might not be willing to do that.

I suppose the only other thing i could do would be to find out who is in the same races as my son beforehand and try to ask only these parents.
god what a performance.

The school office should have a list of kids whose parents don't want them photographing/filming, but this is usually with regards school trips etc where the press may be present.

You will probably find that even these parents will turn up with cameras to photograph their kids and won't even consider whether other kids caught on their cameras are supposed to be filmed or not.

You will probably also find that some staff will be taking photos and as long as these are not for publication but for school only purposes, then it should be okay. This is assuming of course that the main focus of attention is your child and that the film will be for their/your albums only.

My main reason for filming my son is to have something to look back on in years to come.

I might try going to the office on monday and try to sort something out with them.

Ask the school head, and governors if your worried.

plain and simple if you want to film the sports day just go ahead and do it, if micheal jackson can get away with it you can,we will support you,goooood luck

Encountered this at other amateur sporting events when the competitors were 90% adult!

The organisers should take the name and address of anyone taking pictures or making videos.
These are then submitted to their Child Protection Officer and simply kept on file should anyone at a later date make enquires as to who was taking pictures or using any sort of recording device.
No idea where it leaves people with camera mobiles.

This I believe to be the case, it's in your best interests to declare than you'll be filming and as such have nothing to hide.


What a bl**dy world we live in!

Before notices started to go up prohibiting such acts, I had the temerity to take a camera into a public swimming pool.

I had waited until the pool had quietened down and until others were at the other end of the pool in order to take pictures of my young daughter enjoying swimming freely for the first time. I wanted pics for myself but also for her grandparents etc. would would like to see it.

No picture had anyone other than my daughter on it.

Ms "Jobsworth" came zooming down to give me a hard time.
She got the same back and a Supervisor later appeared.
In the absence of any signs to stop the activity, they had no leg to stand on and when I peacefully showed them the shots containing nothing but my daughter (digital camera), they then said that "others may object".

I had waited until "others" had gone. No "others" had objected and it was all a fuss about nothing.
Well founded intentions, I agree, but failing in their implementation.

Since then, notices clearly show a policy of excluding cameras.



Back to your school sports day: if you ask for permission, it may well be denied and then you will have a bigger problem.
I would turn up, film and let them know that you have filmed (as has been suggested).
Give a note to the parents of every child there to let them know that you have filmed and that they may view it if they wish.

This seems crazy, most schools now have "security cameras"but i have never been asked permission to film my children.

Originally posted by only_me
This seems crazy, most schools now have "security cameras"but i have never been asked permission to film my children.

Possibly cos they aren't made public.

My sister & brother in law were asked whether they gave permission for any pictures the school took of my niece to be used on the net. They thought that was odd as initially they weren't allowed to take videos/pictures of their daughter but the school has since relaxed this rule. I think the parents might have to sign an agreement that it's for family only.

It varies between schools and LEAs.

We used to have permission slips but many never made it home to be signed, never mind returned.

We altered our school policy so that any photos on our web site will be reduced in quality and watermarked. If any parent would like a photo removing, we would do so.

We generally digitally record most of our school events which are available to view in school, or can be purchased on DVD / VCD or VHS by parents for just the cost of the media.

This may or may not help:-
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

Tara,

As a serving governor at my sons school within the Rotherham area, I today went to see his school sports day.

I took both a digital camera which I never got to use and my Sony Camcorder.

I made no secret of the fact that I was filming and simply filmed just the events he was in and tried to concentrate on his tema and his friends so he could see how well they had all done.

No one said anything and other sensible parents were also recording the events they were interested in.

I am quite well known at my sons school as I have worked with them in both a position of governor and vice chair of the PTA so most people knew who I was anyway.

If you are in a position where people around you know who you are then go ahead and film your son for your memories.

If anyone has a problem then Im sure the parents around you who know you would vouch for you and if the complainer wishes, then simply show them what you have filmed.

I personally wouldnt go out giving my personal details to anyone but if someone forces the point then I would give them to the head only.

Good luck and I hope you both have a brilliant day and the weather stays fine for you.

Tazman.

I think it all to do with the school.as my sissters school did allow filming and picture takeing..yet at my daughter school last week we got letters to keep all filming cameras and digital and even cameras on mobile phones kept at home.

So if anyone hod doubt about it and not got a letter to say other wise.then speek to the school or if you not got a letter then take ur cameras on the day like my sisster did.

We had this problem with our childs christmas concert,we were told we could not video it due to parents objecting to their children being photographed by other parents.

Then the school announce that you can buy a copy of the video they made of the concert from the school office.

So if parents object to having their children photrographed,why do they have over priced class photos every year? has the world gone mad,,,?

Yes , tango , it has!
On the beach or in the street , a child could be inadvertantly photographed or videod , by a stranger-----so I suppose the next step will to be ban cameras there-------and then the countryside and then.........
But , maybe I'm out of date , maybe they've banned those places already to photographers or video users ?

Just ban the parents from going to the sports day!
or
Just ban the sports day!
or
Just ban the kids from going to school!
or
Just ban the kids from leaving the house!
or
Just ban the adults from having kids!
or
Just ban the human race!

Well said , Trever-------the banners are halfway there already.
The problem is that a lot of people in this country are sheep and love being told exactly what to do.
Or , they love telling others what to do.It makes life very simple for them. They don't really have to think at all.
Bertrand Russell once said ,
" Most people would die , rather than think ; in fact they do ".
Ban the Banners !

What a shame, the world had got so silly. 99.999999% of people are decent, (at a guess)
I had a similar conversation with my g/f, about 'if i saw a crying kid in Meadowhall or summat', your instinct would be to take the childs hand and take them to the nearest staff, but things have got so PC and people have such suspicious minds now (thanks to media) , that i wouldnt, i'd look to see that someone else see's to them.
Taking a film of your lil ones sports day sounds great to embarrass them in future life, (of course thats not the reason for filming) , i hope you they have a great day, and you get it all on cam.