Lewes parents sent 'offensive' emails to teachers (From The Argus)
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Lewes parents sent 'offensive' emails to teachers
11:50am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News
Parents have been condemned for sending “offensive and inappropriate” emails to staff at a secondary school.
All parents of pupils at East Sussex County Council-run Chailey Secondary School in Mill Lane, South Chailey, near Lewes, received a letter last week informing them that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
Yesterday headteacher of the school Lesley Young declined to comment.
But in the letter to parents, seen by The Argus, she said: “Could I also please stress that while I appreciate that pressures of all kinds can result in emails being written in haste, I would not tolerate a member of staff emailing a parent in a tone that is inappropriate and I would ask that the same respect is afforded by parents to members of staff.
“It is fortunately rare but there have been occasions this term where the content of emails to us has been inappropriate and/or offensive.
“This is unhelpful to partnership and positive working between home and school.”
Chairman of internet bullying charity Cyber Smile Scott Freeman, based in Brighton, said: “This sets a terrible example to the pupils. The term ‘think before you click’ springs to mind more than ever before.
“To hear that parents and carers are emailing teachers and insulting them is outrageous. It is exactly the kind of impression that we do not want to set and it makes our job so much harder.
“We go into classes and talk to pupils about cyber bullying and this does not help.”
Previously parents have been told off for fighting outside Moulsecoomb Primary in Lewes Road, Brighton, and using inappropriate language outside Seaford Primary in Wilkinson Way, Seaford, although it is believed this is the first time mothers and fathers’ emails have been criticised.
Comments(14)
Nosfaratu
says...
12:14pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Expell the children and remove their benefits, even child benefit.
Sorted
toldsloth
says...
12:47pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Goldenwight wrote:Seems the most sensible thing to do in the circumstances. Obviously you've never worked in a school and been subjected to abuse from parents.
Chairman of internet bullying charity Cyber Smile Scott Freeman, based in Brighton, said: “This sets a terrible example to the pupils. The term ‘think before you click’ springs to mind more than ever before.
What about the School's action then? Sending a letter to each and every parent- regardless of whether they have ever sent an email (impolite or not) to the School. Totally inappropriate behaviour- not to mention a scurrilous waste of public money.
A simple letter is the most appropriate thing to use to communicate a requirement.
Moaning for moanings sake me thinks....
jimbobmaginty
says...
1:31pm Wed 31 Oct 12
I would have just sent a letter telling them they are scum and what they said is not important!
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
1:33pm Wed 31 Oct 12
I'm very sad to learn that some parents think it is ok to do this - it most certainly is not. If a teacher has annoyed you then make a complaint about it - don't send a rude email. What on earth is going on today that makes some people behave so badly?
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
1:35pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Cabin fever
says...
1:40pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Goldenwight wrote:Why is it 'totally inappropriate'?
Chairman of internet bullying charity Cyber Smile Scott Freeman, based in Brighton, said: “This sets a terrible example to the pupils. The term ‘think before you click’ springs to mind more than ever before.
What about the School's action then? Sending a letter to each and every parent- regardless of whether they have ever sent an email (impolite or not) to the School. Totally inappropriate behaviour- not to mention a scurrilous waste of public money.
What course of action would you suggest more appropriate that would be as effective in terms of impact, and cost (because a bit of printer ink and a pack of A4 doesn't cost the earth)?
As parents we get a newsletter containing all sorts of information that is not relevant to us, or our children, and don't have a problem with it.
I would suggest sending an offensive email to a teacher is more inappropriate, as well as cowardly. What's wrong with a face-to-face chat – or even a phone call – if there is a specific problem?
Cash Bull
says...
2:48pm Wed 31 Oct 12
getThisCoalitionOut wrote:On a 1-100 Scale Map that they use in Southampton where these stories are 'written' it is close enough.
Argus - your headline is wrong - this isn't Lewes parents, it's Chailey and surrounding areas parents. I don't believe any pupils at this school live in Lewes?
BB1975
says...
4:01pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Nosfaratu wrote:Your idea would be great, assuming that all of these parents claim benefits, which you are, of course, aware that they will not, especially when child benefit caps are introduced next year. I don't think behaving in an offensive or inappropriate manner is limited to those in receipt of benefits only! Also, you're asserting that a child is somehow culpable for their parent's behaviour by suggesting they are permanently excluded because of their parents actions! I think blanket statements are unhelpful and these situations have to be dealt with based on the individual circumstances.
Easy cure for Abuse, take them to court.
Expell the children and remove their benefits, even child benefit.
Sorted
Sussex jim
says...
8:01pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Unfortunately certain citizens feel the need to resort to using expletives to express their point of view.
Show some respect, Made in Sussex and others...
Fairfax Sakes
says...
8:52am Thu 1 Nov 12
...*re-reads*...
Oh, hold it says "Lewes".....seems about right.
Nosfaratu
says...
10:21am Thu 1 Nov 12
BB1975 wrote:Wuss !
Nosfaratu wrote: Easy cure for Abuse, take them to court. Expell the children and remove their benefits, even child benefit. SortedYour idea would be great, assuming that all of these parents claim benefits, which you are, of course, aware that they will not, especially when child benefit caps are introduced next year. I don't think behaving in an offensive or inappropriate manner is limited to those in receipt of benefits only! Also, you're asserting that a child is somehow culpable for their parent's behaviour by suggesting they are permanently excluded because of their parents actions! I think blanket statements are unhelpful and these situations have to be dealt with based on the individual circumstances.
Made In Sussex
says...
1:09pm Thu 1 Nov 12
Sussex jim wrote:Well I see the trolls are out : Joeblow and SussexJim....
The Country is not messed up at all.
Unfortunately certain citizens feel the need to resort to using expletives to express their point of view.
Show some respect, Made in Sussex and others...
If I used an expletive then I apologise for having upset anyone.
It is unhelpful of you to use this to detract form the crux of the story and somehow extrapolate that into my view somehow being invalid. Please stop doing this.
One of my parents used to be a headteacher and they experienced this from parents and even physical threats. Lets not forget teachers are doing a job and like the rest of us and dont deserve this, I think its a sad reflection on some parents and makes you wonder where things will end up.
No doubt Joeblow and SussexJim will respond by saying how inappropraite it is of a headteachers offspring to have used a swearword..let me save you both the bother..
funkyyoyo
says...
12:36am Fri 2 Nov 12
getThisCoalitionOut wrote:35 years ago we all lived in a very very different society, where if u gave lip or were cheeky you got a clip round the ear! shame that chastisement isnt allowed anymore,it would wake them up and theyde be polite! sorted!
I am really shocked to learn that parents of Chailey school have behaved in this way. I went to this school for the last two years of my education - it was 35 years ago - but the teachers I had there were some of the best. It was an extremely well run school. I'm very sad to learn that some parents think it is ok to do this - it most certainly is not. If a teacher has annoyed you then make a complaint about it - don't send a rude email. What on earth is going on today that makes some people behave so badly?
Goldenwight says...
12:13pm Wed 31 Oct 12
What about the School's action then? Sending a letter to each and every parent- regardless of whether they have ever sent an email (impolite or not) to the School. Totally inappropriate behaviour- not to mention a scurrilous waste of public money.