Email to school about an image-sharing incident

Calm, non-graphic email about an image of your child or another pupil being shared between children.

When to use this templateUse when an image involving a child has been shared between pupils and the school needs to know. Do not attach or forward the image itself.

Tone guidance

Stay calm. The school has clear procedures for this kind of concern.
Keep the description non-graphic. Detail is for safeguarding professionals, not email.
Do not name children other than your own unless essential.
If the image may be indecent, ask the school for the right reporting route rather than handling alone.

Template

Subject: [SUBJECT LINE]

Dear [DSL NAME or "Designated Safeguarding Lead"],

I am writing about an image-sharing concern involving my child, [YOUR CHILD'S NAME] in [YEAR GROUP].

I want to flag this to the school in confidence and without attaching or describing the image in detail.

What I know:
- I became aware of this on [WHEN YOU LEARNED OF IT].
- The image is [NON-GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION].
- It appears to be circulating via [HOW IT IS BEING SHARED].
- Others involved (if known): [OTHERS INVOLVED IF KNOWN].

Steps I have already taken:
[STEPS ALREADY TAKEN]

I have not forwarded the image and I am not attaching it. I understand that sharing such images, even to evidence a concern, can itself cause harm or be unlawful.

I would be grateful if the school could:
- Treat this as a safeguarding matter.
- Advise me on the right next step (including whether to report to CEOP, the police, or the Internet Watch Foundation).
- Confirm who will be the named contact for this.

My child knows I have contacted the school.

Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR PHONE / EMAIL]

Fields to replace

[SUBJECT LINE] — Subject line
[DSL NAME or "Designated Safeguarding Lead"] — Recipient
[YOUR CHILD'S NAME] — Your child's name
[YEAR GROUP] — Year group / class
[WHEN YOU LEARNED OF IT] — When you became aware
[NON-GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION] — What kind of image (non-graphic description) · e.g. "a photo my child sent in confidence" or "a screenshot taken from a video call". Do not describe nudity in detail.
[HOW IT IS BEING SHARED] — How it is being shared
[OTHERS INVOLVED IF KNOWN] — Who is involved (if known)
[STEPS ALREADY TAKEN] — Steps already taken
[YOUR NAME] — Your name
[YOUR PHONE / EMAIL] — Contact details

What to attach

•Nothing graphic. A short timeline only, if helpful.
•If you have already reported to CEOP or the IWF, mention the date and reference (if any).

What not to include

The image itself. Never attach, forward, or download an indecent image of a child.
Detailed descriptions of nudity or sexual content.
Speculation about other children's intentions.
Public posts about which pupils are involved.

Sources

Report Remove (NSPCC and IWF) — Childline / IWF
CEOP Safety Centre — National Crime Agency (CEOP)

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-08-20

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.