Mmmm... curry....

mmmmmmmmmmmm indeed, I found indian oxo cubes, what a godsend!! yum

[jumps on soapbox]
I'm afraid that to an extent I support the fingerprinting of kids. It's not just about holding their personal data (which is already available to all teaching staff anyway), it's a way of monitoring their attendance properly and ensuring that what they are entitled to... they get.

Many of the new pieces of software available to schools include fingerprint readers because they are the most surefire way of ensuring that each pupil's details remain tied to them only. Schools have to destroy data of students after a certain number of years anyway, although I can't remember how long it is.

For me, it's about being able to monitor their arrival and departure from school each day - it's a safe and guaranteed way of combatting unauthorised absences, and if I were a parent and I knew my child had nothing to hide, I would be more than happy for my child to be fingerprinted if I knew it meant their safety in school was ensured. I would also only be happy if the school were prepared to adhere to, and monitored, their staff and ensured that they kept within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act.

Sorry, I've seen how teachers and staff can screw personal data up (I spent enough time fixing the databases when they'd made their mistakes) and anything that makes life easier is a godsend for all involved.

But hey, I don't work in a school any more, so maybe in time my opinions will change
[off soapbox]

Yum, curry, but mmmmmmmmmm choccy fudge

That is a lovely school your daughter is now going too , I do have to say the fingerprinting is a crazy idea . Best wishes for your Dad

okay curry was yum and the fudge is still chilling, never made it before

in reply to the fingerprinting, indie think it is only for school dinners, it has nothing to do with attendence, you are right about *wagging off* issues but I have never had any problems with either of my kids on that score, suppose I am jsut lucky in that sense. no need to be sorry for your opinion honey :) I enjoyed reading it  (hugz)

as someone who still works in schools i'll disagree with zoe [i know she won't mind!].  fingerprinting kids is something that shouldn't be done without permission from parents, and if not having their fingerprints taken down infringes on their rights to free meals, or indeed any meals at all, then it's something that could probably make sensational tabloid news! 

i had free school dinners too ... and i never had a problem despite the lack of fingerprints .