THE ROW surrounding a headteacher who demonstrated the effect of swearing to children at a Blackburn junior school took a new twist today when parents and governors stepped forward to support her actions.

Mary Abrams, who took over at the helm at Shadsworth County Junior School three months ago, was praised by parents who were shocked to hear other families had complained about her.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's education and training department has received five complaints about "inappropriate language" used by Mrs Abrams during a special assembly about bullying.

And dozens more have called for a meeting with governors to discuss their concerns.

Parent governor Andy Sykes, who has a nine-year-old daughter at the Arran Avenue school, said: "Since Mrs Abrams has taken over a lot of parents have commented on the improved atmosphere at the school and I am fully behind her in this.

"She was generally giving the children an illustration of how bad language sounds. It was not a case of her swearing at the children. It was a case of reporting an incident that had happened."

The controversial assembly was called during break time at the school after two children had been heard swearing at each other.

Staff were sent out of the hall while Mrs Abrams spoke to the children. Mrs Abrams said she did not swear at pupils. She said: "The assembly was called because of a behavioural incident at the school and we have been looking at our policy on this and developing it.

"This incident was not part of the strategy as such but we are concerned with telling the children what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behaviour."

Parent Charles Mills, of Arran Avenue, has an 11-year-old son in the school and is a member of the Shadsworth Estate Management Board.

He said: "The language that some of these kids use would put adults to shame. I'm in full agreement with Mrs Abrams on this issue.

"The children must realise this is not acceptable behaviour and in this day and age where there is a lack of corporal punishment in schools I find Mrs Abrams is very capable.

"Since she took over she has taken an average school and made it a good school. In the next couple of years she will have made it an excellent school."

Governors met on Tuesday afternoon and have joined the council in giving Mrs Abrams their full support.

They intend to hold an open meeting for parents next term.

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