Parents Facebook page comments

[Witchcraftandhokum]

I work in a school as a Pastoral Lead and I've been sent some screenshots of a parents Facebook page (private group) where a parent has made some derogatory remarks about my appearance. I've posted in the Staffroom page and I'm shocked that the majority of the responses have been to ignore it. Do you think I should or do you think that this should be tackled?

shoulditstop I think there is a culture of fear from the FB page. It seems to exist just to criticise the school and staff. 2 other parents have joined in (both who I have had to speak to about their childrens behaviour before)

If they’ve done this before I think they need to be pulled up on it

I would get in touch with the parent and let them know you have seen it and leave it at that.

Let them be embarrassed by their behaviour and maybe they will think twice before doing it again.

Sorry this has happened to you.

It's just so depressing that some people think this is OK. I've worked in a number of schools and this is the strictest staff dress code I ever encountered. But she thinks the length of my hair and my make up (all OK'd by the head) makes some difference to her son's behaviour.

Maybe she should teach her son that what women are wearing and how long their hair is, is nothing to do with him

whenIsnappedandfarted (love the username)

That's really what I want to say to her.

Also it's more to do with how short my hair is

I am glad to read of the support from the Head. I would not expect Facebook to do anything about it sadly.

Do you have any evidence of such unacceptable behaviour by the person concerned towards anyone else? If you have, then worth letting the Head know you are not alone.

Curioushorse it's not linked to an official school page but has the school name in the title.

newnortherner111 I don't. As his Head of Year I'm the only one who deal with his behaviour and therefore the only one who incurs her wrath.

I would just leave it to your headteacher to deal with as he/she seems supportive. Sadly, many young people grow up to repeat their parents' inappropriate behaviour which is why there is so much trouble in society.

@Witchcraftandhokum

shoulditstop I think there is a culture of fear from the FB page. It seems to exist just to criticise the school and staff. 2 other parents have joined in (both who I have had to speak to about their childrens behaviour before)

Well it's easy to see where their children get their behaviour from. What chance have they when their role models are so blatantly ignorant.

If Facebook and the head aren't doing anything I'd 111 it for harassment and publishing malicious comments inthe public domain

It's bang out of order and I'm sorry you've got this happening to you

omgthepain thank you

These parents are probably modelling this behaviour at home.

I’m glad your head is willing to tackle it. It will reinforce the work you’re hopefully doing at school around digital harm and bullying. That’s without even touching the sexist nature of the comments.

Totally unacceptable comments! What a poor example to set their kids.

Does your school have a social media policy? Does it (or could it) extend to parental behaviour?

How sad that this even needs to be discussed. Hope you aren't too upset, OP. I'm pleased your HT has your back.

gammyleg and pinkpomeranian thank you.

Ah she's one of those parents, perfect little brat can't do anything wrong.

You're right to have something done about it. I can't imagine she will listen though, she's too thick.

This is completely unacceptable! I’m not sure what the best action would be to take. It’s one thing to moan about your behaviour or something you’ve done but to mention your appearance is completely out of order!

I’d be tempted to join the FB page and comment asking her why she is saying it and not speaking directly to her - I would have thought if the other parents saw you were aware of this they’d distance themselves from her very quickly!

Glad to hear your head is supporting you. These parents fb/whatsapp groups can be so harmful. Sorry this is happening ro you OP. I hope it gets sorted, they should be ashamed of their behaviour.

I got bullied by a parent on a school parents FB page once - can't even remember what it was about. This women just went hell for leather. I was really shocked and embarrassed.

I messaged the Admin on the page and asked for the comments to be taken down, the Admun took one look at the vile posts and deleted them with a note saying the comments broke house rules. Maybe you could find out who the Admin in the page is and ask for the posts to be take down?

And yes, the head should be having words with whoever has done this too.

Thanks everyone for your supportive comments

It’s a private Facebook group. You shouldn’t have this information. I would consider the parent who shared it to like stirring up issues.

Also it’s really hard to judge as there’s no indication what the comments are about.

saltyslug I've literally posted what the comments were further up the thread. Also it's not a private conversation when it's there for 100's of people to read.