Parents fume after being offered school class photo with 'no complex needs pupils in them'

A Scots council has been forced to apologise after parents were offered a choice of class photos with or without children with complex needs in them.

Furious parents at Aboyne Primary complained to Aberdeenshire Council after being sent a link from a photography company offering them alternative pictures. The council claimed the decision was not taken by Aboyne Primary and the link to the photographs was immediately removed.

Tempest Photography told BBC Scotland they had launched a probe into the matter. The company said they have spoken to the photographer involved and to the school, adding they would not comment further.

Furious mum Natalie Pinnell, whose daughter has additional support needs and attends the school, told the BBC: "I was unsure why two options were given. To say I was shocked is a massive understatement.

"I can't understand how a human can think it's OK to effectively give people the choice to erase children from their class and their history."

She added: "The school were amazing, they were absolutely appalled."

It's understood Tempest is one of the biggest school photography firms.

In response 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.

"The issue has been taken up with the photography company directly as this is totally unacceptable. Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences."

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