Pupils get police advice after n-word controversy
Two students who recorded and shared a clip of their head teacher using the n-word to a black student have been given “words of advice” from police.
Maidstone Grammar School defended head Mark Tomkins after a clip of him using the racial slur, while telling off a student for using it, appeared online.
The minute-long clip was recorded secretly on an Apple Watch before being posted on Instagram and seen by more than 1,000 people.
Mr Tomkins was subsequently investigated by the force but cleared of any wrongdoing.
The 473-year-old grammar school, in Barton Road, defended their head teacher, asserting that any claims he was racist were “completely untrue” before accusing the students involved of “trying to tarnish the school’s reputation”.
After Mr Tomkins was cleared, police turned their investigations to how the audio clip was recorded and leaked online.
Inspector Steve Kent, of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit, said: “On May 10, Kent Police was notified of a social media post that included a recording of a conversation between a member of staff and a student.
“The matter was reviewed and, in this context, officers concluded the member of staff had not committed an offence.
“The student involved and another student who then
shared it on social media have received words of advice from a Schools Officer concerning the need to gain a person’s permission before publishing a private conversation online.”
In the recording, Mr Tomkins can be heard saying: “Within a few minutes I was told that some comment had been made about a student and the word ****** was used.
“First thing I thought was that someone had used that word against you, but I found out you were the one who used it.”
A spokesman for the school said: “This secret recording was made when the headmaster was disciplining a student for the use of an inappropriate and offensive word to a fellow student of the school.
“The headmaster quoted the word back at the boy and explained why it should
not be used.
“The recording of what was intended as a private conversation was subsequently shared by the boy and posted more widely by other parties.
“The matter has been discussed with Kent Police who have confirmed that the headmaster has committed no offence.
“However, it is an offence to make recorded conversations public or share them online
without the participant’s consent and we understand the police will be taking appropriate action in that regard.”
Chairman of governors Mark Rolfe said: “Any suggestion that Mr Tomkins is racist is completely untrue and without foundation.
“He has the governors’ full support and I am extremely disappointed to find that a group of students have tried to tarnish the school’s good reputation.”