Security cameras in classroom

Henny Penny

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My children returned to primary school today to find multiple security cameras in all the classrooms. No communication from the school about the use of same has been received, no signs alerting visitors to prescence of CCTV are on display. Any thoughts?
 
Against legislation for a start

Section 2D of the Acts requires that certain essential information is supplied to a data subject before any personal data are recorded. This information includes:

the identity of the data controller;
the purposes for which data are processed;
any third parties to whom the data may be supplied.

This can usually be achieved by placing easily- read and well-lit signs in prominent positions. A sign at all entrances will normally suffice.

[broken link removed]
 
Some recent articles on the matter:

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/commissioner-warns-over-using-cctv-in-schools-156317.html

[broken link removed]

http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/sc...-data-protection-commissioner-146102-May2011/

Out of curiosity (on a related but slightly off topic matter):

What's the school's policy on photographing chidren?, on children's photos appearing on the school website if it has one, on the storage of documentation relating to children?, on putting chidren's work on the school website?

If children's work/photos are going on the school website they should have parental permission for same.

With regard to the cctv matter above .. I'd also be concerned about the storage of the recorded material.

The school is dancing on thin ice .... I reckon the data Commissioner wouldn't be long telling the school to take them down. The school's first error was not notifying parents. I wonder what the staff think of all the cameras? Are they just installed in the classrooms?

Keep us posted.
 
Why in the classrooms?.

Little un started school this week, they have cameras at the gates and the front doors monitored from the office but we were told this at the PTA meeting and I'm fine with it (pleased with it to be honest)
 
Compo culture?

Students trips over a chair, hysterical parents sue the school?
You have to protect yourself these days, sure don't schools ban running in the playground over this
 
Compo culture?

Students trips over a chair, hysterical parents sue the school?
You have to protect yourself these days, sure don't schools ban running in the playground over this

Schools ban running the in playground? I'm quite shocked by that.
Are they not worried about getting sued for causing heart disease and obesity?
 
Am familiar with running being banned/ punishable - has to do with limited space in the yard.
 
Be nice if Henny Penny responded to some of the interesting queries raised.
 
I think he was just flying a kite:

"My children returned to primary school today to find multiple security cameras in all the classrooms."

Just parse the info

Children, not the OP, spotted multiple cameras in all classrooms
 
Very strange that the parents were not informed.
When I did my HDip we had to video a class being taught - for this I had to arrange for a letter to be given to the parent of every student to ensure that no parent had an issue with it. Capturing images of students is taken very seriously.
Personally I'd have no problem with there being cameras in classrooms.
 
Security cameras

Hi folks,

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. Just a quick update, as yet no information from the school about the provision of security cameras has been received. Speaking to some of the other parents who have been in the classrooms of their children they testify that there are indeed cameras in all the classrooms together with the yard and corridors.
There has not to the best of my knowledge, in the 7 years my children have attended this school been any incident of violence by or towards a member of the staff. The school built on a large extension which was completed over the summer and the new security system was part of this. It is a small school with approx. 250 children.
A friend of mine spoke to the school secretary about the security cameras and was informed that the classroom cameras were not connected, however the cameras in communal areas and yard were connected and recording. The footage is monitored from the principals office.
I will let you know about any other progress on the matter and again thanks for the advice and input.
HP
 
its possible that the cameras have been installed and haven't been turned on because they are a delibrate deterrant to the children (i.e. similar to speed cameras which don't have an actual camera!). however, in primary school that is a very bizarre situation!

also, it's possible that they wanted to install CCTV throughout the school (there is in our school) in the common areas and it worked out as proportionally only a little more expensive to install in the classrooms too and they may use them at some stage in the future.

however, I would very surprised and shocked if parents were not informed of their installation - full stop. is there a parents rep on the board of management?

as a teacher myself (not that you'd know it with this spelling and grammer at this time on a Friday night!!) I certaintly would not have a problem with CCTV in my classroom - in fact, it would be a useful tool with some behavioural issues (plus, theoretically I can't even speak to a student one to one in my classroom in case there's an allegation of abuse etc) but at primary level and with lack of consultation with the parents I would be very concerned.....
 
maybe t's so the boss can make sure the teachers are teaching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and not for the kids at all.
 
If that's the case .... There are Data Protection issues in relation to the teachers to be addressed too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and not just the kids.

OP .... any update?
 
Schools ban running the in playground? I'm quite shocked by that.
Are they not worried about getting sued for causing heart disease and obesity?


I havce heard of schools banning children running in the playground. How crazy is that?
 
Yep - my children's primary school 'banned' running and no more than two children were allowed play with a football.
 
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