Pupils 'made derogatory comments about staff in TikTok videos'

TikTok videos made by school children with “derogatory comments” about staff and other pupils have been reported to police.

Pupils at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, have been rapped for sharing abusive content on social media.

Scotland’s biggest teaching union says it will “consider all options” to safeguard its members from abuse and urged councils to get police to investigate specific incidents where appropriate.

A letter from head teacher Christopher Smith, written in partnership with council education chief Laura Mason, was issued to parents and carers, and published on the school’s social media feeds, last week.

In the letter Mr Smith wrote: “We are aware of a number of TikTok accounts and videos that have been created that include images of and derogatory comments about our teaching staff and pupils.

“I am sure you can imagine how upsetting this can be for anyone subjected to this.

“Given our continued focus on ensuring our schools provide inclusive, diverse learning environments where our young people can thrive, we cannot tolerate this.”

The letter added: “We would encourage you to monitor your child’s use of their phone and in particular social media sites and their contents.”

Police Scotland has been made aware of the “upsetting” jibes being hurled at staff.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s education convener, Councillor Karen Conaghan said: “I’d ask pupils to try and put themselves in the other person’s shoes and ask themselves if they’d like to be treated in that manner.

“Pupils need to know that such behaviour has consequences.”

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie labelled the footage as “completely inappropriate”.

Baillie said: “Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and this extends to the way they are treated on social media platforms, as well as in person.

“I know that Our Lady and St Patrick’s teaches its pupils to be courteous and respectful and the school is right to crack down on anyone found to be making such videos.”

A spokesman for Educational Institute of Scotland said: “This is an issue of growing concern, and the EIS will consider all options to protect its members from this unacceptable abuse.

“Local authorities should be taking appropriate steps to protect their employees, including potential police involvement where appropriate.”