Can I refuse to be in my school's GCSE photograph?

Question

I got my GCSE results last week and I am quite pleased. The thing is my school has this thing where there are group photographs. One for people with at least 7 A*s or As, one for people with 6 A*s or As, one for 5, one for 4 and one for 3.

Although I only got 1 A* and an A (the rest Bs). So I will be put in the 'other' photograph with people who got lower than 3. Then they put the pictures in the halls with everyone's names on the fame. I don't want to be in the 'other' picture, as everyone will know I would have only got at least 2 A*s or As. In most schools this probably wouldn't matter but my school is a grammar school and everyone is smart. It's going to make me feel stupid and I don't want people to know what I got!

Please don't tell me to just go because you don't know how I feel around all these people. My school is also very strict and I think they might just force me into the picture. Do I have to or can't they make me?

Sorry about the length of this. Thanks!

Answer 1

Get your mum or dad to write a letter saying hat for personal/legal reason that they can no longer allowed your school to take pictures of you or something like that and if they wont just write on your self by the time they phone them to check if they do it will be 2 late as it will allready have been taken good luck getting out of it xx

Answer 2

Don't refuse to take part.  The other students in the 'less than 3 A* ' picture would take it as a personal insult.  Have you any idea how the exam grading has changed over the years?   In the 1970's it was very good if anyone got 3 grade A's at O level, and there was no such thing as an A*.  People who got 8 straight A's were normally the sort of people who took Oxbridge scholarship exams later on.  In years to come if you tell this story, people may well say 'What were GCSE's?'

Answer 3

That sucks! Your results are excellent - how dare they make you feel inferior. They are also personal to you and you should not have to share them if you don't want to. I don't believe that they can force you to participate in the photo, but suspect that they wil try and put a lot of pressure on you. Do you have a symathetic tutor or maybe school counsellor who can explain your reluctance to participate? Alternatively a parent / carer / older relative who would write a letter for you.

You could turn up in incorrect uniform so they don't let you in it, or if all else fails, have your photo taken, but stick your tongue out- they might then choose not to display it or edit you out!

Good luck and try not to stress too much- it seems a big thing now but will not matter one iota in 5 years time- I promise.  

Answer 4

Find out when the pictures will be taken and miss school that day.  Or just refuse to be photographed.  Last resort, make a face so they will not post it.

Answer 5

First of all well done in you exam results - believe it or not you have done really well.  Secondly you are an individual and no school can force you to pose for photographs should you not want to do so - if you feel uncomfortable about being included you can and must refuse.  I feel the school is being a bit elitist in its manner, they should be proud of all their students pass rates and grades and there should be no pressure on any of you to take part in something you feel not able to participate in.  AGAIN BE PROUD OF YOURSELF - I BET YOUR PARENTS ARE - WELL DONE AGAIN!!!