Parents can take pictures at school nativity plays, Information Commissioner

Dec 9 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PARENTS can take those treasured photos of school nativity plays.

The decision came in a ruling by the Information Commissioner.

Christopher Graham said parents should be free to photograph their children in nativity plays and should challenge schools or councils that try to stop them under data protection laws.

Mr Graham said pictures for the family album are exempt from the laws and parents should “stand ready to challenge any schools or councils that say ‘Bah, Humbug’ to a bit of festive fun”.

The decision has been welcomed by Howard Roberts, general secretary of the Kirklees branch of the teaching union the NUT.

“I can understand the reasoning behind caution and as the chairman of governors of a primary school, safety is paramount,” he said.

“But people taking photographs of nativity plays in highly supervised and public environments such as this is not a problem.

“I welcome the Commissioner’s comments.”

Mr Graham said: “Armed with our guidance, parents should feel free to snap away this Christmas.”