Note for Parents on Social Media Use

Dear Parents,

As we all know, social networking sites such as ‘Facebook and WhatsApp’ are widely used and enjoyed by the majority of parents and older children. They can be invaluable for communicating messages among parents regarding day to day school activities, and for providing support and friendship. However, sometimes these sites are used to publicly discuss matters which may include personal disagreements between pupils at the School, or for parents to vent frustration about school matters. 

You may not be aware that comments made on Social Networking Sites about an individual can be considered to be ‘defamatory’ and lead to the onset of legal action being taken against those who made them, therefore I feel it is important to remind users of Social Networking Sites to bear this in mind before posting comments.

Social networking sites are not as ‘private’ as we might like to think and careless or inconsiderate use of these sites can cause unnecessary distress to the individuals concerned, or have an adverse impact on the School in general, or both, and this is something the School seeks to avoid. Additionally, screenshotting emails from members of staff and distributing them in class WhatsApp groups is highly inappropriate.

The School works hard to create a safe and happy environment for its staff and pupils and should any parent have concerns about either their child, or the School in general, I would always urge them to contact the School. 

Thank you all for your co-operation in this matter.

Kind regards,

Miss E Wilson

Headteacher