A SCHOOL’S decision to remove photographs of pupils from the online version of its newsletter has been branded “ridiculous”.

Alec Hunter Humanities College, in Stubbs Lane, Braintree, no longer has pictures of pupils on the Herald, which can be accessed on the school’s website.

A message on the site says: “All photographs of pupils have been removed on this electronic version of our school publicity, in line with our stringent child protection policies.”

Ema-Louise Ranger, whose son Ryan, 15, attends the school, said: “They are not detrimental pictures of the children. They are usually doing something worthwhile.

“I have never heard of such a thing. It’s getting ridiculous, isn’t it?”

The mother-of-one, of Browning Road, Braintree, said parents might want to visit the site to see what activities their children were doing.

Headteacher Andrew Hutchinson said pictures had been omitted from the Herald’s online version because it was possible to use the internet to search for pictures using a child’s name.

He said: “It’s just to protect the privacy of our young people. We have had no complaints about it.”

Mr Hutchinson said the school had consulted Essex County Council and other secondary Schools about the change.

He added: “We decided we didn’t want people to search a name or a place and get a child’s photo, and I think that’s fair.

“I think nine out of ten mums and dads would think that’s fair.”

He said the policy was not in place because there was a problem, but because the school believed safeguarding children was a priority.

Pupils can access a version of the Herald which includes the pictures by logging into their personal account.

Paper versions of the newsletter, which include photographs, are also available for pupils and parents.

Julie Wills, spokesman for children’s charity the NSPCC, said: “We welcome safeguarding is high on the schools agenda.

“Anyone posting photos of children on the internet needs to consider the risk this poses to children.

“It is also important to engage and discuss this with parents, so they understand the risks.

“Schools can take sensible precautions that strike a balance between protection and celebrating children’s achievements.”

All parents and pupils at Alec Hunter have to sign a consent form for the publication of photographs of children.

Images of pupils appear in the gallery section of the school’s website, but without names.