BBC NEWS    BBC Sport >>   Graphics version >>   Change to UK edition >>
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health | Talking Point
UK News Contents: England | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales | Politics | Education |
Thursday, 28 November, 2002, 10:08 GMT

Nativity video ban

A school in Bedfordshire has banned video cameras from its nativity play, because it's worried that the images may get into the hands of paedophiles

Head teacher at Sundon Lower School, Sue Stokes, has told parents in a letter that she is worried that photographs might get into the wrong hands.

On Thursday, Miss Stokes said she did not want to comment on this and referred inquiries to Bedfordshire County Council.

But the council told the BBC it is a matter for the school to manage locally.

Miss Stokes says in the letter: "This year a great deal of publicity has been centred on the issue of child protection and for this very reason videotaping the performance will not be allowed.

"This also applies to photographs being taken with a digital camera."

Richard Stay, Bedfordshire County councillor, criticised the ban.

"It is a ridiculous decision," he said.

"It is political correctness gone mad. As a father of a two-and-a-half-year-old child I would be concerned if it was my child's school.

"I think it is absolutely potty."


Related to this story:
Church nativity bans wise men (18 Dec 00 | Wales) An eye on simplicity (10 Mar 99 | Visions of Christmas) School website paedophile fears (21 Jan 01 | Wales) Row over filming school shows (15 Dec 00 | Education) School bans videos of Christmas play (08 Dec 98 | Education)


Internet links: Bedfordshire County Council
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health | Talking Point
UK News Contents: England | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales | Politics | Education |

^^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | ©