Row Breaks Out Between Parents and Leeds School
A row has broken out between a group of parents and a Leeds school, after comments made on social media.
A number of mums and dads who have children at Morley Academy took to Facebook to voice their disagreement with the school’s lunch policy.
Some of them claim that their children were coming home hungry due to the size of the dining room. They also referred to a new lunchbox policy whereby certain items can allegedly be confiscated if they’re deemed to be too unhealthy.
There have since been over 300 comments over the issue – and parents claim the school eventually sent a letter home saying children whose parents were writing negative comments on social media would lose their privileges.
One mum – who doesn’t want to be identified – told us ‘privileges’ can refer to things like school trips if a child has been well-behaved.
“It’s like trying to silence the majority because we are worried about the repercussions on our children,” she told Radio Aire.
“So for example I’ve told my children that they have to be extra, extra good at school now. And they are good at school anyway, they’re in the top grades and they work hard. But to not raise their head above the parapet now. To not be unique – to just blend into the masses.
“Last night I thought I just can’t sleep for thinking about the things that are happening. And it’s hard to motivate your children to go to school and try their best when they’re being given this kind of example.”
In a statement, the principal of Morley Academy, Mrs Griffiths, told us the school is not seeking to punish any students:
"A small number of parents have raised concerns regarding students’ ability to purchase and eat food during lunchtime. We have responded to all of the parents who have contacted us, reassuring them and allaying their concerns.
"At 12.30 pm the canteen is busy and there are queues but by 12.50 pm, twenty minutes before the end of lunch, there are no queues and students can access all serving stations freely.
"Students have responsibility for deciding how they wish to spend their lunchtime; however we have suggested they access the Dining facilities later into the lunch time period if they do not wish to queue.
"We are an Outstanding academy and take the well-being of our students very seriously. We encourage parents with any concerns to contact us directly.
"The Trust will not tolerate a position where personally insulting or threatening comments are made regarding any member of our community on social media.
"The police have fully supported us in this matter and have warned a number of individuals regarding their unacceptable conduct on social media.
"We are not seeking to punish any students; we are asking parents to contact us directly if they have any concerns they wish us to address as opposed to airing these on social media through the use of offensive and distressing comments."