An incident at Aboyne Primary School in Aberdeenshire has led to a public apology from the local council after a contracted photography firm, Tempest Photography, took two versions of a class photo for P5 students, selectively excluding children with additional support needs (ASN) in one of the photographs.
This decision allowed parents to choose between photos with or without these children, which has sparked considerable backlash and distress among the affected families. The school, unaware of the photographer’s actions, was quickly informed by concerned parents, prompting an immediate response.
elementary students (Credits: The Boston Globe)
Natalie Pinnell, a parent of one of the excluded children, expressed her heartbreak and frustration to the Press and Journal, emphasizing the pain of feeling like her daughter was being erased from a significant part of her history. The community has shown solidarity with the affected families, with many parents choosing not to purchase any school photos as a gesture of support.
Another parent, Lisa Boyd, shared the emotional toll the incident took on her family, particularly affecting her twin daughters when one, who uses a wheelchair, was removed from one of the photo sets.
Tempest Photography, headquartered in Cornwall and operating across the UK through local photographers, has stated that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter but has yet to provide further details.
School pupils (Credits: The Telegraph)
Aberdeenshire Council has addressed the situation, emphasizing that the decision to take and offer both sets of photos was made without the school’s knowledge or approval. It acknowledged the profound upset it caused among the school community.
The council firmly denounced Tempest Photography’s actions, affirming its commitment to inclusivity at Aboyne Primary School and ensuring that all children are valued and included in school activities and memories.
The council’s statement highlighted its dedication to upholding an inclusive educational environment where every student is acknowledged and involved. Further comments from Tempest Photography and Aberdeenshire Council have been sought to address the issue comprehensively.
