The short answer
Ask whether the filmmaker holds an enhanced DBS certificate and follows your safeguarding policy. Check how they keep pupils without consent out of shot. Then ask how footage is stored, and make sure you approve the film first.
Before they arrive
- DBS. Does the filmmaker hold an enhanced DBS certificate, and will they show it?
- Your policy. Will they follow your safeguarding policies and procedures in full?
- The plan. Will they agree where they film, and who joins them, before the day?
- Supervision. Will a member of your staff stay with them throughout?
- Who is coming. Will the same person you spoke to do the filming, or will others attend?
- Drones. If they fly one, are they licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority?
- Communication. Will they confirm the plan in writing, so your staff know what to expect?
On the day
A good filmmaker signs in at reception and wears visitor identification. They should show their DBS certificate before entering the main school building.
They should also never be left alone with pupils. So agree in advance which member of staff will stay with them, and for how long.
Ask how they will fit around lessons, too. A well-planned day lets staff focus on teaching, rather than managing a visitor. My guide to planning a filming day in school covers this in more detail.
If a drone is used, ask where and when it will fly. Every flight should be planned safely and legally, and agreed with your school first.
Brief the staff who will be with the filmmaker, too. They should know the consent arrangements and the plan for each room.
Consent and pupils who cannot appear
Your school holds photo and video consent, so the filmmaker should rely on your records. They should never need to know why a pupil cannot appear. Pupils should never be singled out or made to feel different.
Ask how they keep those pupils out of shot. Good options include discreet lanyards or stickers, staff guidance and careful camera angles. Filming small groups chosen by the school also works well.
Also ask what happens if a pupil appears by accident. The footage should be removed, or the pupil blurred so they cannot be identified. Ask how often this happens, and how they check the edit before it reaches you.
For the consent forms themselves, see my guide to parental consent for school filming.
Footage and data
Ask where the footage is kept, and who can see it. It should be stored securely and never shared outside the project. Encrypted drives are a sensible standard for footage of pupils.
Check how finished films reach you. A private link is safer than a public upload.
Personal information should be handled in line with UK GDPR. A good company asks for no more detail than it needs. Ask whether they keep a record of where your footage is held.
Also check who receives the list of pupils who cannot appear. It should be treated as confidential, and used only to plan the filming.
Then ask how long footage is kept once the project ends. Raw footage should never sit in a shared folder or on a personal laptop.
After filming
Your school should watch and approve every film before it is published or shared. That keeps you in control.
Ask whether the company will show your film on its own website or social media. That should only happen with your written agreement.
Also ask what happens if consent changes later. A pupil may leave, or a family may withdraw permission. The company should be able to re-edit the film to remove that child.
Finally, ask how to request deletion of footage. You should get confirmation once it is done. A clear answer here tells you a lot about how the company works.
Warning signs
- Vague answers. They cannot say where footage is stored, or who can see it.
- No DBS on the day. They expect to walk straight in without showing it.
- Asking why. They want to know why a pupil cannot appear on camera.
- Public uploads. They plan to post your film without your written agreement.
- No deletion route. They cannot explain how footage is deleted, or confirm it afterwards.
- No time for questions. They are reluctant to speak with your safeguarding lead before filming.
Questions schools ask
Does your filmmaker hold an enhanced DBS check?
Yes. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate. I show it to your staff before entering the main school building.
How is footage stored?
All footage is kept securely on encrypted drives. It is never shared with anyone outside the project. You can read more on my <a href="/safeguarding/">safeguarding page</a>.
Can our safeguarding lead talk to you first?
Yes. I am always happy to talk anything through before filming. Call me on 07498 946 584.
Will you ever be alone with pupils?
No. A member of your staff stays with me throughout, and I am never left alone with pupils.
Do you need to know why a pupil cannot be filmed?
No. I never need to know why, and pupils are never singled out.
Pupils' safety comes first on every filming day. Read my safeguarding approach, or talk to me about your school's needs.
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