The quiet town of Heywood, Greater Manchester, is home to Newhouse Academy, a school that has prided itself on being a vibrant and inclusive educational environment.
Describing itself as a “diverse, vibrant, friendly, and aspirational environment,” the academy is home to around 1,000 students aged 11 to 16.
However, recent revelations have cast a shadow over the school’s reputation. An incident involving a confiscated mobile phone has sparked outrage among parents and the local community.
The student’s phone, seized during a lesson, inadvertently recorded nearly four hours of private conversations between teachers in the staff room.
These recordings, later brought to public attention, have exposed shocking and derogatory remarks made by some staff members about their students.
One teacher was reportedly heard referring to a female student as a “silly bh” and another called a student a “bend.”
Disturbingly, another teacher commented on a student’s behavior, attributing it to “that time of the month.”
In a separate instance, a Black student was insensitively referred to as “the big black lad,” highlighting a racial undertone to the remarks.
The leaked recordings have left many parents deeply concerned. One parent expressed, “It’s disgusting. I have to leave my child in a place where this has happened. How can I know it is safe?”
Another parent questioned the school’s handling of the situation, saying, “I’m surprised the headteacher has not suspended the teachers or at least punished them in some way.”
In response, Headteacher Alex Burnham issued a letter addressing parents’ concerns. He acknowledged the content of the discussions was inappropriate and did not align with the school’s values.
Mr. Burnham emphasized, “This should not have happened, and we have taken the strongest possible action against those involved.”
A school spokesperson confirmed the incident was immediately investigated, and after consulting HR, appropriate disciplinary actions were taken against the teachers involved.
As part of the resolution, the teachers have reportedly apologized for their actions and remain employed at the academy. Restorative measures were also initiated to rebuild trust within the school community.
This isn’t the first time Newhouse Academy has faced controversy. Earlier this year, a math teacher, Bethany Woodcock, was banned from teaching after a misconduct hearing.
The investigation revealed that she had “emotionally blackmailed” a vulnerable student but continued to work with children for two years before her actions came to light.
The school also received a “requires improvement” grading during a recent inspection, indicating systemic challenges that extend beyond isolated incidents.
Parents and educators have also raised questions about the ethical implications of the secret recording. While the student’s actions exposed unacceptable behavior, privacy concerns surrounding the recording remain unresolved.
Legal experts suggest the recording’s admissibility could vary depending on the circumstances and the laws governing unauthorized recordings in schools.
Amid this controversy, Newhouse Academy faces a challenging path ahead as it works to restore trust and uphold its values of integrity and respect.
The real shock came when the recordings were revealed to parents, highlighting the full extent of the teachers’ remarks.
The school leadership has promised transparency and action to ensure that such incidents do not recur. For now, the focus remains on rebuilding a safe and supportive learning environment for its students.
Featured Image Credit: (Google Maps)
