Don't need to be told pupils' names SIR, As the head teacher of Tebay Community Primary School I was dismayed at your apparent disregard for common sense precautions towards child protection in your insistence that photographs of children should be named (Gazette, July 9). Clearly photographs of children do make good cover. They provide interest for a wide range of readers. As for those that can identify the pupils, for example parents, cousins and neighbours, are they not more concerned with seeing their loved ones in the paper - "Have a look in the paper mum, Kayleigh is on the front page."

The point being they do not need to be told the pupil's names. We have agreed a policy in school where the general rule is: pupils will not be named unless parental permission has been specifically granted.

Tim Coleman, head teacher Tebay Community Primary School Editor's Footnote: Mr Coleman is entitled to his view, but I don't agree with him. In normal circumstances it can make no difference to the children's protection to be named if their picture is in the paper to identify them anyway. If there are other considerations. like custody disputes or court wardship, then the school should make sure they are not put at risk of identification by excluding them from press coverage, including photographs. I agree with Mr Coleman that parental consent is desirable and I urge all schools, including his, to arrange for this as a matter of routine. Otherwise, we will continue to decline to take pictures of children whom we cannot name, except in the most unusual specific circumstances. This would be a shame as The Westmorland Gazette is keen to promote positive images of the young and success stories.