Radicalised dance teacher

[hmmwwyd]

Have ncd and changed a few details to protect privacy

DD goes to a dance club. Very nice club, lots of friends and the instructor has become somewhat of a personal friend of the family

A little while ago I was added on Facebook by the dance teacher. All fine. She's a strong influence currently in DD's life and looked up to.

I'm getting increasingly annoyed with the posts however the dance teacher is posting on Facebook. I appreciate they are her personal views

Posts are along the lines of "go home" and anti Muslim propaganda, links to groups like Britain first etc

DD is of other ethnicity herself and we are not particularly religious but she obviously doesn't realise that I hold form of religious belief. I don't see any racism at dance

I'm struggling with just appreciating it's a good club, good activity and how much influence this woman may have over DD as she matures or how DD might feel if she knew of these views?

If it was the odd post - I'd let it go and I may well choose to ignore it. It's constant however and tagging some parents and teenagers in these posts on occasion too!

Do I just hide their posts and ignore?

No way on Earth my children would continue to go there.

I would withdraw my child and there's no way I'd be friends with this racist woman either. And I'd tell her why.

Neither would mine.

I'd also be blocking her on Facebook.

Withdraw DD. Tell both DD and the teacher why you are doing this.

Is there someone in charge like an owner or manager of the club? If so take screenshots of the posts and complain.

Eww. That's horrid.

I might consider tipping off the people from Prevent. It's meant to help deal with all people who are at risk of becoming involved in groups with extremist views - the far right as well as nutter religious groups. Would give her a hell of a shock to be visited by officials to discuss her views.....

Another who would cease all contact with this piece of racist

I had something similar - from a nursery worker. I screenshotted the posts and went to meet with nursery management about them. Mine were safeguarding related though.

Good suggestion from Neolara.

I can't really believe you're even considering allowing your DD to be looked after by someone who respects her less because she isn't white. This is serious stuff you're talking about, OP.

I’d be getting into contact with whichever organisation she was licensed with too tbh.

I couldn’t in good conscience continue to send my child there.

It’s difficult. On the one hand lots of people share Britain first stuff without fully realising what they’re sharing (I generally block them though) However she’s in a position of trust and part of safeguarding these days is the prevent duty which includes looking out for children being radicalised by the far right! I’d definitely remove kids, is there anybody above her you could have a quiet word with?

Appalling behaviour from this teacher, I would block her on FB and remove your DD from her lessons. Does she run the dance club? Is she part of a professional body as part of her dance teaching?

Yes she owns and runs club

Ugh. Was hoping I was overreacting in my offence

Take your DD out, tell her and the teacher why and tell Prevent.

Zero tolerance.

You're not overreacting, she's vile. Don't give her your money.

In that case definitely find another club. And I wouldn’t be shy about telling any of your friends at the club exactly why DD has left. Follow the advice to get in touch with Prevent and if she belongs to any professional bodies I would complain to those too. Disgusting behaviour.

Sorry OP you're not overreacting! It's appalling and she's an idiot to add parents on Facebook when she's sharing such hateful nonsense which would add another layer of worry to me that she thinks her thoughts are 'normal'.

And yes tell Prevent!

I agree re screenshotting the posts.
You've highlighted several areas of concern here. Her views for one thing. The fact that she is very influential with a group of teens. The fact that she tags teens and parents into these posts.
My other concern is, what happens when she gets comfortable with this level of sharing her views and starts increasing it, or being encouraged by other "like minded" individuals who may be more active?
What would her reaction be if she finds out more your religious views or daughter's ethnicity? - which could easily be the case on facebook. In the first instance, I'd unfollow her on Facebook so she cant look at yours and I'd consider reporting. (Im not sure who to, but maybe other posters will know) has she had CRB checks?
There must be another club your daughter could go to - which doesn't pose as many risks.

If she owns and runs the club I guess your best bet would be to google your local children’s services and call them for advice. If she was in a school tagging parents and especially pupils would be unacceptable regardless of content. You could also call NSPCC for anonymous advice, though I find their call handlers are 50/50 absolutely brilliant/utterly moronic. Good Luck and sorry you’re in this position.

The fact that she owns and runs a club with children and teens involved would be enough for me to flag this with the official bodies, it's a massive part of safeguarding at the moment and something that she should have come across in any recent safeguarding training.

She shouldn't be working with children if she has views like that. I'd remove your daughter and complain to the dance school.

Just seen that she owns the club. Presumably she's CRB checked. Perhaps speak to them?

I work with children in a safeguarding role.
I would have concerns about someone with those views being in a position of influence over children. The rise of the far-right in this country is deeply troubling and young people are more vulnerable to radicalisation when extremist views are espoused by people in a position of trust who are seen as having good standing in the community, such as teachers.
The fact that she owns and runs the dance school means there may not be anyone you can report her to internally but you can complain to any regulatory body she may be registered with (details should be on the dance schools website) and make a Prevent referral.