THE headmaster of Chester’s prestigious King’s School has issued a statement to quell “unfounded rumours” of pupil and staff dissent.
Chris Ramsey is concerned about students’ Facebook entries over the departure of popular director of studies Bernard Routledge, who left by mutual agreement.
Emails, letters and phone calls to The Chronicle claimed he received a six figure ‘pay-off’ but this has been dismissed outright by the school.
Mr Ramsey wrote on the school website: “Typing a few words and pressing ‘send’ these days can put thoughtless words in the hands of millions.
“ And yet do we think about how our words might affect people? Copying groups of people into emails, setting up groups on social sites, we spread in-jokes and rumour and gossip far more powerfully than ever our parents did.”
Last week teaching union NASUWT was threatening strike action over possible job losses within the classics and IT departments but staff have now been redeployed.
The school also admits its ideas about changing the start of the school day and length of lesson times could lead to a ‘mixed response’.
Union official Kim Jamson wrote in a letter to the headmaster: “To be perfectly honest NASUWT are tired of playing your games, Mr Ramsey, and unless this stops forthwith I shall be consulting my members to take action against the school up to and including strike action due to your continued unreasonable behaviour.”
A school spokesperson said: “Inevitably any changes can be met with a mixed response. However, we ensure that our parents, pupils and staff are kept fully informed.
“Recent unfounded rumours have been unsettling for staff and pupils alike and it is now time to concentrate on the important work of educating pupils.”
