School gives parents telling off over smoking cannabis at gates

Parents at a primary school have been told off for allegedly smoking cannabis while they wait to collect their children.

Deborah Binns, deputy head teacher at St John's CofE Primary in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, is said to have sent a strongly worded letter to parents after concerns some had been smoking the Class B drug at the school gates.

Some older pupils had also noticed the distinctive smell, it was claimed.

Mrs Binns's letter, shared on Facebook, said: "We have had concerning 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.

"Please respect our school as a place of learning and make sure that you set an appropriate example within the community."

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain. A conviction for possessing it could lead to a caution, a fine or prison term.

Facebook users commenting on the Spotted: Radcliffe page were largely in support of the measure, after the letter was shared on social media.

Keileigh Mather wrote: "That's shocking, I mean fair enough can't judge them just coz they smoke a bit of weed but as if they couldn't wait to get home to smoke it! Wonder if they had their pj's on as well..."

Shannon Pearson added: "Absolutely disgusting I think. Especially around kids and on the school run. Poor children! If your going to do it, do it when the kids are in bed but outside or do it when there simply not there!!!"

Jolene Dodd said: "Most probably don't work & go home in their pjs to watch Jeremy Kyle before having to leave to pick up the kids again."

Parents at St John's are just the latest to be given a reprimand by senior school staff.

In November, Eythorne Elvington Community Primary School in Kent asked parents not to smoke or swear while waiting for their children, while last month Kate Chisholm, head of Skerne Park academy in Darlington, appealed for an improvement in standards over concerns about adults wearing their pyjamas to drop off pupils.