A ROW has erupted between parents and the headteacher of a Blackburn junior school who demonstrated the effect of swear words to children during a special assembly.

Five families with young children at Shadsworth County Junior School have complained to the Education and Training Department of Blackburn with Darwen Council that "inappropriate language" was used by headteacher Mrs Mary Abrams while others want a meeting with governors to discuss their concerns.

The row blew up after a special assembly about bullying at the Arran Avenue school.

Other members of staff had been sent out of the room.

Mrs Abrams said she called the assembly after two children were heard swearing at each other.

She added: "I did not swear at the children. The assembly was called because of a behavioural incident and the whole school was told that this sort of behaviour must never happen again.

"I told them what the two children had said but without using the actual words. I told them in the same way they would tell me if somebody swore at them.

"Staff were sent out of the hall but there was no reason for that except it was break - there was no ulterior motive."

Complaints officer at the Education and Training Department Andrew Hutchinson said: "The local authority does not have a particular role to play in complaints of this nature and I have addressed parents and told them to contact the governors." Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mrs Jackie Gallagher, said she had received complaints and was trying to arrange a meeting for parents later this week.

She added: "It was a situation where Mrs Abrams was expressing the effect of language she had heard from the children. There have been complaints and we hope there will be a meeting towards the end of the week. I have had an informal discussion with her about it."

One shocked mother said she was disgusted when her eight-year-old daughter told her about the incident and has been to the school to see Mrs Abrams.

The woman, who does not wish to be named, said: "She said she had abbreviated the words.

"But that's not the point, she should not have been doing this in front of my child. I'm very concerned because this is an important issue that needs dealing with.

"I realise that pupils need discipline but this is going too far."

Another parent, who also has an eight-year-old daughter at the school, went on: "She doesn't hear that kind of talk at home. I agree that if they are doing wrong they should be told off but there are other ways of chastising a child.

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