Protecting Images on School Websites: Practical Steps Schools Can Take Today.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has created exciting opportunities across education, but it has also raised new questions around safeguarding and the use of pupil images online.

Many schools and trusts are reviewing how images are used on their websites and considering whether additional measures should be taken to reduce the risk of photographs being copied, manipulated or used without permission.

While there is currently no single solution that can completely prevent images from being downloaded or captured from a public website, there are a number of sensible steps schools can take to improve protection and demonstrate good safeguarding practice.

Understanding the Challenge.

School websites play an important role in celebrating achievements, sharing news and giving prospective families a window into school life. Images are often central to that communication.

However, advances in AI technology mean that publicly available images can potentially be copied and reused in ways that were not previously possible. This has led many schools to review their approach to publishing pupil photographs online.

The key challenge is balancing the benefits of showcasing school life with the responsibility to safeguard pupils and respect parental preferences.

Practical Measures Schools Can Implement.

Review Image Usage Regularly

Schools should periodically review the images published across their website to ensure they remain appropriate, relevant and compliant with current consent arrangements.

Consider:

• Whether older galleries are still required.
• Whether images can be reduced in size or resolution.
• Whether individual close-up photographs are necessary.
• Whether group photographs can be used instead.

Ensure Consent Processes Are Up to Date

Schools should continue to maintain clear and robust processes for recording parental consent and ensuring staff understand any restrictions that apply.

Regular audits can help ensure website content remains aligned with parental preferences.

Reduce Opportunities for Easy Downloading

While it is impossible to completely prevent screenshots or image capture from a public website, certain technical measures can make casual downloading more difficult.

For example, BlueApple has already implemented protection against simple right-click image saving within platoWeb websites.

Whilst this does not eliminate all risks, it provides an additional layer of deterrence.

Be Selective About Image Quality

Publishing images at web-appropriate resolutions rather than high-resolution originals can reduce the usefulness of downloaded copies whilst still maintaining a professional appearance on the website.

Consider the Information Accompanying Images

Schools should avoid unnecessarily identifying pupils within image captions or accompanying text. Limiting personal information alongside photographs can further reduce risk.

Looking Ahead.

The conversation around AI, image protection and safeguarding is evolving rapidly.

We expect further guidance to emerge from the Department for Education and other safeguarding organisations as schools continue to navigate these challenges. In particular, future updates to the statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance may provide additional recommendations for schools and trusts.

BlueApple is actively monitoring developments in this area and investigating additional technical measures that may further enhance image protection in the future. Whilst no additional services are available at present, we remain committed to evaluating new approaches as technology and guidance evolve.

How BlueApple Can Help.

For schools and trusts using platoWeb, support is already included within your subscription.

Our all-inclusive support model means schools can contact us whenever they have concerns, questions or requests relating to their website. Whether you would like advice on image management, assistance reviewing website content, or help implementing available protection measures, our team is here to help without additional support charges.

Every school’s circumstances are different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If you have concerns about how images are being used on your website or would simply like to discuss the options available to your school, please get in touch.

We’re always happy to have a conversation and help schools make informed decisions that balance celebration, communication and safeguarding.