NORTH KENT: Teachers warned against using social networking websites

7:00am Tuesday 23rd June 2009

By Michael Purton

TEACHERS have been warned against using social networking websites after students read intimate information about a headmistress on her Facebook page.

Kent County Council (KCC) has sent letters to every school in Dartford and Gravesham advising teachers to “close any personal accounts” on online social networks.

This follows an article in a national newspaper that highlighted personal information about head of college at Wilmington Enterprise College in Common Lane, Belinda Langley-Bliss, written on her Facebook page.

The article claimed students had been able to read comments she had made about her breasts and a joke about asylum seekers.

KCC’s children’s services officer for Dartford and Gravesham Simon Webb sent the letter to the schools.

He wrote: “I would urge and recommend any individual member of staff to either close any personal accounts or secure them (not a reliable option) to safeguard themselves against future hacking or abuse.”

Mr Webb sent the letter to the chairman of the board of governors and head of each school, who passed it onto teachers.

He said no teacher’s had responded to the letter yet, but it was “generally positively received” by headteachers.

Mrs Langley-Bliss has deleted her Facebook account, but refused to comment on the matter.

Executive headteacher at Wilmington Enterprise College Jane Wheatley said: “I do not think Belinda was irresponsible with her Facebook account and am disappointed the press reacted in the way they did.”

Following the article, a Facebook group titled ‘Defence against the media for Belinda Langley Bliss’ was set up to support her.

It has 116 members, including students at Wilmington Enterprise College who posted comments on the group page.

Belinda Jane Woodbridge wrote: “I'm with you all the way on this! I think you've been doing great. The school is becoming a better place thanks to you Miss!”

A former pupil of Mrs Langley Bliss posted a comment defending her right to have a Facebook account.

Sera Turkdogan wrote: “Mrs Langley-Bliss is a human being and is allowed a life out of work...just like the rest of us!”

Frank Green is the executive head of Leigh Technology Academy and says that, although the school is independent of KCC, he has issued advice to teachers similar to that given by Mr Webb.

He said he had told staff at the school in Green Street Green Road, Dartford, to “be careful with the kind of comments they write on their page and limit the amount of information listed”.

However, he said he had not banned teachers from using the sites because it is a good way to keep in touch with former pupils and whether to use them is a personal decision.

In May Wilmington Enterprise College was placed in special measures by Ofsted to help it improve standards.

In April the school was criticised by parents after Mrs Langley-Bliss decided to exclude 46 students for one day and give 25 detention for breaching minor rules, such as not having the correct PE kit.