Social Media Statement
The school's expectations regarding social media use are outlined in the Parent and Carer Code of Conduct. As part of that document, we outline our expectations regarding the use of social media and public messaging platforms.
Inappropriate use of Parent WhatsApp/Social Media Platform Groups
These groups are useful tools for information sharing; however, they should not be used as a tool to air any concerns or grievances about the school. These should be discussed directly with the school and the relevant member of staff will deal appropriately with the issue in question.
In the interest of clarity, we would consider the following actions inappropriate use of WhatsApp/social media groups:
Social media websites are being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools, headteachers, school staff, and in some cases other parents or pupils.
The Department for Education/Government and Governors of Chaddesley Corbett Endowed Primary School considers the use of social media websites/WhatsApp being used in this way as unacceptable. Any concerns you may have about the school or your child/children must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the class teacher, the headteacher or the Chair of Governors (where applicable), where they will be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned (please see the school’s complaints procedures on the school website).
Libellous or Defamatory posts - In the event that any pupil or parent/carer of a child/children at Chaddesley is found to be posting libellous or defamatory comments on social network sites, including WhatsApp, they will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site. All social network sites have clear rules about the content which can be posted on the site and they provide robust mechanisms to report contact or activity which breaches this. The school will also expect that any parent/carer or pupil removes such comments immediately.
Cyber Bullying – we take very seriously the use of cyber bullying by one child or a parent to publicly humiliate another by inappropriate social network entry. We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of school bullying.
The school will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse on social networking and other sites, including WhatsApp.
We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and will deal with any reported incidents appropriately. If parents have any concerns about these messages, we would suggest that the headteacher is informed as soon as possible. In the same way we ask the children to be up standers of any inappropriate behaviour, we would ask the parents/carers to do the same.
Inappropriate use of Parent WhatsApp/Social Media Platform Groups
These groups are useful tools for information sharing; however, they should not be used as a tool to air any concerns or grievances about the school. These should be discussed directly with the school and the relevant member of staff will deal appropriately with the issue in question.
In the interest of clarity, we would consider the following actions inappropriate use of WhatsApp/social media groups:
- Identifying or posting images/videos of pupils without consent
- Abusive or personal comments about staff, pupils or other parents bringing the school into disrepute
- Posting defamatory or libellous comments
- Using social media/WhatsApp to publicly challenge school policies or discuss issues about individual children
- Threatening behaviour, such as verbally intimidating staff, or using bad language
Social media websites are being used increasingly to fuel campaigns and complaints against schools, headteachers, school staff, and in some cases other parents or pupils.
The Department for Education/Government and Governors of Chaddesley Corbett Endowed Primary School considers the use of social media websites/WhatsApp being used in this way as unacceptable. Any concerns you may have about the school or your child/children must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the class teacher, the headteacher or the Chair of Governors (where applicable), where they will be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned (please see the school’s complaints procedures on the school website).
Libellous or Defamatory posts - In the event that any pupil or parent/carer of a child/children at Chaddesley is found to be posting libellous or defamatory comments on social network sites, including WhatsApp, they will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site. All social network sites have clear rules about the content which can be posted on the site and they provide robust mechanisms to report contact or activity which breaches this. The school will also expect that any parent/carer or pupil removes such comments immediately.
Cyber Bullying – we take very seriously the use of cyber bullying by one child or a parent to publicly humiliate another by inappropriate social network entry. We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of school bullying.
The school will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse on social networking and other sites, including WhatsApp.
We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and will deal with any reported incidents appropriately. If parents have any concerns about these messages, we would suggest that the headteacher is informed as soon as possible. In the same way we ask the children to be up standers of any inappropriate behaviour, we would ask the parents/carers to do the same.
