Bolton primary school head threatens to cancel lessons over Zoom if parents don't stop swearing

A primary school headteacher has threatened to cancel lessons over Zoom if parents don't stop swearing, while also telling pupils to dress more appropriately and stop wearing crop tops.

Martin Johnson, principal at Sacred Heart in Westhoughton, Bolton said a 'minority' of parents have caused offence during the online sessions.

As a result of the outburst, the school has drawn up a list of rules which is says protects 'the dignity of all pupils'.

Parents at Sacred Heart RC Primary School have been given a set of rules while their pupils learn over Zoom - including strict instructions not to swear

They include a ban on parents using foul language in the background and a warning for them to stay off their mobile phones.

Head teacher of Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Westhoughton, Bolton

Children are also required to dress appropriately - after crop tops were worn - and are banned from chewing gum and 'lounging' during lesson time.

Mr Johnson said: 'Teachers across the profession want to maintain the same standards of safeguarding the dignity of all children during Zoom lessons.

'I want to stress that the majority of our parents have been very supportive and the sessions have been very successful.

'The summer weather has meant some children have been wearing clothes which are not appropriate on camera - we are not asking children to wear school uniform, children at school are not wearing uniform, just something appropriate like a polo shirt.'

Mr Johnson said being dressed appropriately also has a positive impact on attainment by focusing their mind.

Sacred Heart RC Primary School, one of Bolton's best performing schools, posted on its social media this week: 'Do not comment negatively about a post protecting the dignity of all pupils, not wearing crop tops, chewing gum or lounging in a lesson, and safeguarding them from adults swearing in the background which is audible to all participants. We will discontinue zoom if this happens.'

The rules also state children must stay attentive for the duration of the lesson if taking part and not opt in and out during the session.

Their computer microphones must remain muted unless they are speaking and pets should not distract children from their lesson, the rules stipulate.

In line with best practice, Mr Johnson said, children's cameras are turned off and microphones muted at the start of Zoom sessions.

He said: 'The Zoom sessions are led by our PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) trainee teachers and they have been hugely successful, with children of key workers in school taking part with children at home.

'This maintains and strengthens the links between children in school and pupils at home.

'The work PGCE students have done during lockdown has exceeded all expectations.'