,
9 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
The @haywardgallery has quietly changed the smallprint on its website. It now says that under 13s can only come in with an adult. Children over 13 are allowed in on their own and can view the most violent and explicit parts. 
(1) Making changes quietly to try to avoid drawing attention to organisational failings is not what should happen when there has been a safeguarding failure. The priority is protecting children not the reputation of powerful
(2) How was it decided that 13 is the right age? (Is it the right age? I don't think so). Who decided? On what basis?Could it be because the "youth takeover event" already planned involves unaccompanied 13 year olds so that *had to be* the right age?
(3) Why have @haywardgallery not put out a statement? Why is @ElaineABedell blocking people who ask questions? Why didn't @Genderintell who advise schools and organisations on this raise the issue that this exhibition is completely inappropriate for children?
(4) If this was the policy all along (really....?🙄) why was it not explained to teachers? Why is it still possible to buy under 13s tickets on their own on the website? Why are primary schools encouraged to bring parties of under 11s?
This looks like an org trying to brush the issue under the carpet, putting its reputation ahead of the safety of children in the way it is responding. (🙄 Where have we seen that before?) It is not good enough.
I doubt we will get any answers on twitter but you can email elaine.bedell@southbankcentre.co.uk CEO. sgilchrist@brunswickgroup.com Chair of Trustees.
And here is @sarahrutherfor2 confirming that there were no age restrictions in place earlier on when she rang the box office.
....and received from one of the people attending the session with all the primary school teachers. The printed material - no age restrictions mentioned.
