PARENTS have been warned their children's Zoom school lessons could be cancelled if they don’t stop SWEARING.

Bosses at Sacred Heart RC Primary in Westhoughton say the vast majority of parents are respectful while lessons are held online during the coronavirus pandemic.

But a small minority have caused offence, leading to a list of ‘rules’ being dished out to all parents of students at the school, which is rated outstanding.

They include a ban on parents using foul language in the background, and a warning to stay off their mobile phones.

Children are also required to dress appropriately - after crop tops were worn - and are banned from chewing gum and ‘lounging’ during lesson time.

Executive Principal Martin Johnson said: “Teachers across the profession want to maintain the same standards of safeguarding the dignity of all children during Zoom lessons.

“I want to stress that the majority of our parents have been very supportive and the sessions have been very successful.

“The summer weather has meant some children have been wearing clothes which are not appropriate on camera — we are not asking children to wear school uniform, children at school are not wearing uniform, just something appropriate like a polo shirt.”

Mr Johnson said being dressed appropriately also has a positive impact on attainment by focusing their mind.

Sacred Heart RC Primary School, which is one of Bolton's best performing schools, posted on its social media just this week: “ Do not comment negatively about a post protecting the dignity of all pupils, not wearing crop tops, chewing gum or lounging in a lesson, and safeguarding them from adults swearing in the background which is audible to all participants. We will discontinue zoom if this happens.”

The rules also add that children must stay attentive for the duration of the lesson if taking part and not opt in and out during the session, children’s microphones muted, unless they are speaking - and pets should not distract children from their lesson.

In line with best practice, said Mr Johnson, children’s cameras are now turned off and microphones muted at the start of Zoom sessions with cameras being turned on when needed.

He said: “The Zoom sessions are led by our PGCE trainee teachers and they have been hugely successful, with children of key workers in school taking part with children at home.

“This maintains and strengthens the links between children in school and pupils at home. The work PGCE students have done during lockdown has exceeded all expectations.”

Thanks to the work of trainee teachers, children have had a chance to hear and take part in a Zoom call with astronaut Richard Garriott, who is on a mission to journey to the bottom of the ocean.

Mr Johnson said: “Zoom sessions are only a part of our home learning resources because we understand some households may only have one computer and others four so we have flexible ways of learning.”