Head calls in the police after parents take drugs as they meet children at school gates
A SCHOOL has ordered parents to stop smoking cannabis while they drop off and pick up their children.
Pupils were given a letter to take home after complaints that the Class B drug was being used at the school gates.
St John’s Church of England primary school in Radcliffe, Manchester, has warned parents that police have been told.
It is the latest example of a school forced to tick off parents.
Headteachers have complained about people wearing pyjamas on the school run and letting their children use the playground as a toilet.
St John’s headteacher Jason Harvey said: “We felt there was a need to remind people that this is a place of learning and we are trying to set a good example for the children
Reputation
“We are trying to make sure that the school has a good reputation. I can’t legislate for people’s actions outside but there are things that are appropriate and things that aren’t.”
Sarah Sharples, whose eight- yearold son Ryan goes to the school, said it was “shocking”.
She added: “I think it is quite disgusting. People should have a bit of respect for the kids.
“I’m a smoker but I don’t smoke in the house and would never dream of having a cigarette when I’m on the school run.
“Surely people can wait until they get home. It’s just wrong – they obviously have no respect for anyone else around them.”
The letter from St John’s was issued last Thursday and is understood to have been sent out in response to complaints by parents who saw the drug being used.
It reads: “We have had concerning
St John’s primary school in Manchester had complaints about pot smoking. Above, the letter sent to parents reports that parents have been using cannabis around the school premises as they drop off and collect their children. This has been reported by parents and has been noticed by some of the older children.
“This is a serious safeguarding concern and if further complaints are brought to our attention, we will notify the relevant authorities.
“We have informed the community police service and they are likely to be keeping a close eye on this situation.” It concludes: “Please respect our school and make sure that you set an appropriate example within the community.”
St John’s, which has 159 pupils, was judged to require improvement by Ofsted inspectors in 2014.
Mrs Sharples, 32, said she had never seen anyone smoking cannabis on the school premises but had walked past people near to the school who smelled strongly of the drug. However she criticised the school for sending the information home in a letter given to pupils.
She claimed Ryan began asking diffi cult questions about illegal drugs after reading it.
The mother of three said: “I shouldn’t have to be talking to a child so young about drugs. I don’t want him knowing about these things yet. The school should have dealt with it in a different way, such as sending a text to parents so they got the message direct.” A police spokesman said: “Offi cers from Radcliffe neighbourhood policing team have been made aware of concerns relating to the use of cannabis around a primary school. Anyone found engaging in such activity will be dealt with accordingly.”