School sparks outrage for asking pupils to vote for ‘best-looking’ classmates
Critics on social media describe task as ‘shocking’ and ‘shaming’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A school has sparked outrage by asking teenagers to vote for their “best-looking” classmates.
The secondary school in Kent has apologised for an awards nomination form, which was handed out to 13- and 14-year-olds, after an aunt of a student described the activity as “shocking”.
Year 9 pupils at Hugh Christie School in Tonbridge were also encouraged to nominate their classmates for best couple, biggest ego, biggest strop and biggest poser.
The task, which was linked to an end-of-year assembly, sparked criticism on social media.
Lucy Hall, who has a nephew at the school and posted a photo of the form on Twitter, said parents were “appalled” by the form and called on the school for an explanation.
She tweeted: “School is hard enough when you are 14 to create awards over best-looking boy and girl. Shocking.”
In response to the post, Twitter user Karen Pollock, a counsellor, said: “This is school sanctioned bullying. Horrendous when we have a huge crisis in teen mental health.
“It’s perfectly possible to do this without shaming and judgemental categories.”
The school said the form, which also included a category for most irritating habit, was “inappropriate”.
An internal investigation has been launched into why a member of staff produced the document.
Jon Barker, the executive principal, said the school takes issues concerning the mental health and wellbeing of its students “very seriously”.
He added: “I wish to apologise unreservedly for the awards nomination form circulated to students and seen by parents that has caused offence.
“As soon as senior leaders were made aware, the form was withdrawn and replaced with one that correctly reflects the school’s ethos.
“We will apologise to all students who received a form today [Thursday] and explain why we believe it was inappropriate to use. We have also emailed parents to apologise.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments