A MUM has been left “devastated” after a photography firm offered to remove additional support needs (ASN) children from class photos.
Three kids at Aboyne Primary School in Aberdeenshire were removed from images sent via an internet link, giving parents the option to order a photo without them in it.
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Mum-of-two Natalie Pinnell, 38, said her nine-year-old daughter Erin felt “erasable from society” following the “disrespectful” move.
Parents of children in two classes were sent two links to official photographs – one including children with ASN and one without.
Natalie said: “The photographer gave the parents the option to delete members of their class.
“Finding out the only classes that got two links was an ASN-related class just blew my mind.”
In one class, two people were removed from the photograph and in the other only Erin had been removed.
Natalie added: “We should not be providing an option to delete one human or in the other class two humans from history.
“It was like ‘would you like Erin in it or not?’
“It’s disrespectful, it’s harmful, it’s ableist, it’s discriminatory and the photography company have a lot to answer for.”
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The parents have said they are not bothered that two photographs of the class were taken but rather being given the choice to erase Erin or not.
She said: “Sometimes my child might not go into the hall for the photo or sometimes she might not be included because she chooses not to which is absolutely fine.
“It’s the fact the two options were provided.
“It makes it worse.”
The parents had to explain the situation to Erin’s younger sibling.
Natalie said the conversation was hard but hopes the distressing situation will help other people and help change opinions.
She said: “I hope we all learn massive lessons from this because the harm done is incomprehensible
“We’re having to have a conversation with her younger sibling to tell them what’s going on which is hard.
“What message have we shown her – that her sister is less important?
“I hope it helps other people, that’s my only intention.
“I’m here to protect my child who doesn’t have a voice in this, who is erasable to society.”
She added: “Adults need the education too.
“If this is the model that we’re portraying that you have the option to erase these children, the parents to these kids then what lessons are you teaching?
“It gives me fear for Erin’s future because if this is acceptable by grown adults then what chance has she got to succeed, to thrive and to be loved and to be seen.”
The mum says they have been grateful for the support offered by the school and the community.
She says the contract cancellation has meant a lot to the family, saying the school has fought hard and backed them.
Natalie said: “The response from the community has been incredible, the whole community has backed her [Erin] and backed me and the other parents involved.
“That’s really heartwarming and just shows how strong Aboyne is as a community and that’s getting me through this challenging time.
“They’ve removed the alternative option but part of me wants all of them deleted and say please don’t buy from this company.
“There are lots of parents who have chosen to cancel their orders or are boycotting their orders as a result which means a lot
“We have to learn from this but at the end of the day I don’t want to rob everyone else of their memories like they want to try and rob Erin of hers, I don’t want to rob other kids of them too.
“So for those who want to buy them and see your children’s class, I understand why, no hard feelings, but let’s all work hard on lobbying for change within the provision of suppliers across Scotland.”
Natalie hopes that sharing her story will encourage a conversation on how we can change.
She added: “The damage being done is huge
“No child should ever be allowed to be erased and no family should ever experience that feeling of seeing their child as less worthy of existing.
“It’s the most bizarre thing to have witnessed
“It has to change, we have to open our eyes
“Just through existing, living that’s all she did, just by being a part of her community she was erased.
“Must do better people.”
Following the incident, a spokesperson from Tempest Photography said: “Recently, after capturing a class group photograph, one of our photographers took additional images of the class group which mitted some members of the class from the photograph.
“We deeply regret any upset this has caused and would like to sincerely apologise to the parents and children affected.
“We are a family run business and photograph at schools across the UK and would like to reassure our customers that this is not standard procedure for our company and we are taking this matter very seriously.
“We are committed to implementing meaningful changes to prevent such an occurrence in the future.”
Aberdeenshire Council said: “We are aware that following Aboyne Primary School’s recent school class photographs, links to purchase the pictures included images with and without complex needs provision pupils.
“Whilst this was not a decision taken by the school, we absolutely appreciate the distress and hurt this has caused some parents and carers and we are sincerely sorry.
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“The issue has been taken up with the photography company directly as this is totally unacceptable.”
The council added: “Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences.”