For generations it has been one of the treasured aspects of parenthood.

Whether it be capturing photographs or lasting video images of cherished children as they proudly take part school productions, Christmas nativity plays sports days.

For generations parents and grandparents have reveled in collecting images of their beloved children as a personal record of their growing during childhood.

So too do the children enjoy having their performances captured for posterity by their proud parents.

Quite rightly those traditions have resisted those over zealous self-appointed ‘protectors’ of innocence to maintain a parent and child tradition.

But now it seems that the staff of Chandler Junior School at Witley have taken it upon themselves to ensure that the generations old traditions enjoyed by pupils and parents are set to be a thing of the past.

For as expectant parents last week jostled to get prime positions to photograph the antics of their loved ones during a specially produced morning assembly, staff quickly moved in to ban them from recording the precious moments.

It seems that parents can no longer be allowed to record the effort and antics of their children, as teachers seek to ‘protect’ the children from possible exploitation. Certainly it is a worthy aim. But as in so many instances in today’s society the methods and regulations have gone too far.

The achievements of children are there to be recorded and treasured by their loved ones.

Chandler’s absurd act must surely take zealousness to a frightening new level. Has society completely lost its’ senses. Those precious moments enjoyed by so many for so long are now to be lost forever.

The situation is made even more absurd by the fact that Chandler invite people to visit the school’s website….in order to see the activities of children at the school!