Child Image Policy

Following recent disturbing incidents involving the misuse of children’s images through AI technologies, and in line with new guidance from the UK Online Harms Early Warning Working Group, we have taken the decision to obfuscate or remove many photos and videos of children from our websites. This will take a few days to fully implement and will remain in place until we carry out a full review of all visual content and digital media safety policies once further guidance is available on this rapidly evolving issue.

Our updated approach will include:

• Obfuscation – allimages and videos featuring faces of real children will be obfuscated using subtle grain textures, blurring, watermarks and lower resolutions which protect images and videos from generative AI manipulation of children’s images. This will not include stock images sourced from image libraries or images and videos of public figures.
• No pairing of names with images — Personal details will never accompany photos or videos other than for public figures.
• Removal of EXIF metadata — All metadata will be stripped before uploading.

We will continue to update our approach as new and relevant guidance emerges. Our priority remains the safety and dignity of the children in our schools and community.

So if you notice that our images and videos look a little less crisp, it’s not our eyesight failing or yours, it just caution on our part.