Apology over photo without complex needs pupils

A Scottish local authority has apologised for the “hurt and distress” caused to families after parents were offered a school photograph that did not contain pupils with complex needs.

Parents at Aboyne Primary complained after a photography company sent them a link offering alternative versions of the picture, including one featuring pupils with additional support needs, and one without.

Aberdeenshire Council said the decision was not taken by the school, but added: “We absolutely appreciate the distress and hurt this has caused some parents and carers and we are sincerely sorry.” It added: "The issue has been taken up with the photography company directly as this is totally unacceptable."

Tempest Photography told the BBC it was investigating the matter, and that it had spoken to the photographer involved and the school.

A mother of one of the pupils, told The P&J it was “inhumane” that the photographer chose to take two photographs of the class.

Tempest Photography is reported to have done the same with ASN pupils in another class, then put both versions up for sale to parents.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken. Furious. I put a post up on Facebook and it’s gone crazy with support from other parents, who thankfully are equally as outraged,” the mother told The P&J. “A lot of the other parents have decided not to purchase their school photos in support.”

The alternative versions of the class photograph are no longer available to purchase. The school is said to have asked for them to be removed.