TikTok – Support from Parents and Carers

19^th November 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: TikTok – support from parents and carers

I hope you are well.

It has been brought to my attention that there are a number of TikTok accounts set up using the school name/variations of the school name, as well as individuals’ account names. Several TikTok videos uploaded to these accounts use images of staff that have been taken from our school website, promotional videos and other material within our website, all without the permission of the individuals or indeed the school.

We are working with TikTok and the Police regarding the offensive content of some of these videos, and I have already reported three accounts to the Police, who are treating the matter very seriously.

Please could you speak to your child/children regarding TikTok, and the fact that under no circumstances is it acceptable for anyone to upload images/videos of members of staff, or other students, without their permission to such platforms. I will continue to report any accounts, along with the accounts of any students who post derogatory comments about such videos to the police and the Professionals’ Online Safety Helpline, with the aim of all such accounts being taken down with immediate effect.

If in the meantime, through discussion with your child/children, and/or checking of their TikTok accounts discover any such material, please ensure it is removed immediately.

I have a number of professionals I am working with who are checking TikTok daily, and are reporting any such content to me.

Thank you for your support in this. As a profession, during such testing times, we are already dealing with an inordinate amount of pressure, and I want to do all I can to support my staff in getting on with their jobs without unnecessary stress.

Yours faithfully,

Mr D Wilkes

Headteacher