to think that a teacher contacting my 15 year old cousin via twitter is gross miss conduct?!

[winniesmum]

Just that really. The content its self was not inappropriate in its self by surely the situation is???!!! I'm not her legal guardian but might as well be :/

What is the context ?

Is it so different than emailing?
If the content wasn't inappropriate why are you so worried? It's just another form of contact. We're advised at my school not to be 'Facebook friends' or 'Twitterfriends' with students but only so they can't access OUR private pics.

I don't think so..why would it be? They can communiate outside school and on a friendly appropriate basis.

Not recommended I agree.
But as to gross misconduct - well, that depends on the context really.

I am a teacher and I would never, EVER contact a current pupil in such a way. (S)he would get in big trouble at school. Maybe send them a message anonymously and advise them of this?

Is it a young teacher? They might just be naive.

Depends - if it was "oi x get off twitter and do your overdue coursework" not inappropriate. If it was to proposition definitely inappropriate.

just random things or he'll reply to things she says. I just don't like it. I have many friends who are teachers who keep their social media private so pupils and parents can't find them but her teacher questioned her when she deleted him (or something, don't really know how it works).

YABU. No less appropriate than sending an email, and probably more likely to be seen. I use twitter to communicate with students (am Head of 6th Form) and my school has a PE Dept twitter feed. Last year, when I did a school production, we set up a Facebook group so that I could communicate easily with the cast and vice versa. It was a good way to do it- most teens use twitter and FB via their phones so it is easy.

My HT is fully aware and supportive of our use of social media. As long as it's used responsibly, I don't see the problem.

I don't think teachers are supposed to do that.

Seems a bit over friendly. I'm not convinced its gross misconduct. But if you are uncomfortable speak to the head.

I just don't understand why he'd want to be in contact with pupils outside of school. Thank you everyone for your replies x

Today I have used twitter to communicate with one of last year's yr 13 students who has decided to put a late UCAS application in. He's asking me stuff like "when can I come into school to see you about this?" and I'm replying "Tuesday between 2&3." I struggle to see this as inappropriate. Also, Twitter does not hold a profile in the same way that FB does. Nothing to see, really.

MY dd has to ex teachers on her twitter and facebook but she has been left for 2 years , I don'tt think teachers should be down with the kids on social networking maybe im just old fashioned but I wouldnt phone a teacher at home or hang out with them when I was 15 why is twitter any different

two*

I'm in contact with some of my ex pupils who are now 6th formers, because we had such a good rapport when they were current pupils. I don't comment or particularly care to look at what they get up to at the weekends but they know they can contact me easily if they want help/advice and it means I can congratulate them when they pass their AS/A Levels.

I don't think it's gross misconduct, but I don't think it's wise on the part of the teacher. A few of my friends who are secondary school teachers do go on to befriend former pupils once they've left school, just as a means of keeping in touch. I don't think there's anything inappropriate in that.

OTOH, I was (and still am) facebook friends with a handful of my university lecturers. They're an odd bunch...

....just random things or he'll reply to things she says.........questioned her when she deleted him

Those would raise a few red flags for me, I'm afraid.

Totally depends on context. I'm a teacher & refuse to be 'friends' with pupils on fb etc. Having said that, I do very occasionally message them through fb (eg a sixth former who babysits for us) as it is so convenient.

Eviltwins I agree with your use of this platform. However it's never school related.
He is her ICT teacher. Also he has sent her private messages but again nothing to do with school.
Chubfuddler I am thinking to ask the head about their policy on the subject.
You are all so quick responding- thank you!

It really depends on the teacher and what the type of contact is.

Or in other words depends on the teacher's intentions!

I know Uni tutors who have professional twitter / facebook accounts (in addition to their personal ones) which are like their public face, and they are friends with students on this (although we are talking about uni student here so 18+). They tend to use them to discuss things which are related to their subject in a chatty way, as well as some general chit-chat.

I would see no problem with this.

There is another tutor at the same uni who has personal friendships with his 18yo students - particularly the girls - he treats them like friends and meets up with them socially outside of uni (e.g. he went to an 18th birthday last semester and goes to gigs with them). The students love him and I have never heard of any actual wrongdoing, but I think this is dodgy as hell!

Sounds too familiar to me.
It's not school related contact, more friendship - which tbh isn't appropriate between the teacher and pupil.
Could you speak to him about it?
Or refer to school?

It's not about trying to be "down with the kids" IME. It's about effective communication, and as long as it's appropriate content, it's no odder than sending an email.

OP, I don't think you should contact the HT, unless the content is inappropriate.