Who can photograph students?
Classrooms are not public places. Schools control who has access to school property and to students and are responsible for protecting students while they are at school. Students should not be photographed in classrooms or in schoolyards during school hours without student or parental consent. Schools do, however, invite spectators – including parents or media – to certain school events. This is a school policy issue rather than an information and privacy issue. Once parents or other members of the public are invited (other than volunteers within the school), the event becomes a public event and anyone in attendance may take photographs without first obtaining consent. Students involved in performing arts or competitive teams generally perform or compete in public venues and it is reasonable to expect that photographs may be taken by spectators, by the media and by schools. The same may be said of class field trips. Schools need to obtain student or parental consent before allowing tho
