Grammar school headteacher is investigated by police after he was secretly recorded saying N-word while telling off student for using the racial slur in social media post
- Mark Tomkins is head teacher at Maidstone Grammar School in Kent
- He was telling of a student for using the n-word but was being secretly recorded
- The minute-long recording was shared on Instagram and later reported to police
- Kent Police investigated and were satisfied Mr Tomkins had not committed an offence
Police investigated a head teacher for saying the N-word while in the process of telling a student off for using it.
Mark Tomkins was explaining to a student at Maidstone Grammar School, in Kent, why the racial slur is inappropriate but did not know he was secretly being recorded on an Apple Watch.
The minute-long recording between Mr Tomkins and one of the students, was shared on Instagram and later reported to police
A head teacher was reported to police for saying the N-word while in the process of telling a student off for using it. Mark Tomkins was explaining to a student at Maidstone Grammar School why the racial slur is inappropriate but did not know he was secretly being recorded on an Apple Watch
In the recording, played more than 1,000 times, Mr Tomkins can be heard saying: ‘I was told that some comment had been made about a student and the word n***** 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.’
He is then heard asking the student: ‘And should I treat someone differently if they use the word towards you? If someone posted that and a photograph of you?’
The student tries to argue his case, telling the teacher ‘calling me it is different’, to which Mr Tomkins replies: ‘Well, yes it is, but one should ask the question why is it different?
‘Just because of your colour doesn’t mean that word isn’t inappropriate.’
The 11 to 18 selective boys’ school confirmed that the police investigating were satisfied Mr Tomkins had not committed an offence and said ‘any suggestion Mr Tomkins is racist is completely untrue’.
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 11 to 18 selective boys’ school confirmed officers were satisfied Mr Tomkins had not committed an offence and said ‘any suggestion Mr Tomkins is racist is completely untrue’. Above: Maidstone Grammar School
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.’
Students have been warned they were damaging the school’s reputation, according to a concerned parent.
In a letter addressed to parents, Mr Tomkins said: ‘As you can imagine, this has been extremely distressing for me personally and for the reputation of the school.
‘Please be assured that I will continue to lead the school with fairness and kindness as I have always done.’
The school is firmly backing Mr Tomkins and his handling of the situation.
Chairman of governors Mark Rolfe added: ‘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 in this way.’