6:30am Monday 1st March 2010
By Dan Hearn
A MOTHER has been warned she will face legal action if her Internet campaign against a school headteacher escalates into defamation.
Samantha Barson criticised the performance of Rose Hill Primary School headteacher Sue Mortimer on the social networking site Facebook after she claims five complaints to the school failed to address the bullying of her son.
The school’s governors wrote to her to warn her she could face “court proceedings” if she made defamatory comments about Mrs Mortimer.
They also wrote to facebook.com to request her webpage was removed, but Facebook said Mrs Barson had “every right” to post the comments.
Last night the mum of five, from St Martin’s Road, claimed she was forced to use Facebook because she felt her initial complaints to the school were not taken seriously.
At least 10 other parents have commented on the Facebook page, saying their children have also been bullied at the school.
Mrs Barson said: “How dare the governors threaten me with legal action for speaking my mind. What happened to free speech in this country?
“Bullying is a huge problem at the school and nobody is doing anything to stop it.
“Mrs Mortimer is just burying her head in the sand and this disgraceful letter is the final straw.”
Despite repeated requests from the Oxford Mail, both Mrs Mortimer and Oxfordshire County Council have refused to comment.
Mrs Mortimer said previously that she had reviewed the school’s anti-bullying policy, and added: “Each incident is carefully investigated and documented and appropriate sanctions are then implemented. Should any parent have any concern, they should speak to either myself or the school’s special needs coordinator.”
The letter sent to Mrs Barson was signed by chairman of governors Ali Akkas and vice chairman Robin Gill.
Mrs Barson, who has five children at the school, claims she contacted the school five times to complain after her seven-year-old son complained he had been punched and kicked.
She said: “When I approached Mrs Mortimer it was almost impossible to get a meeting. I eventually got a chat, but nothing happened.”
Jemma Crowder, who has two children at the school, said: “I really want to move my children.”
Grandmother-of-two Jackie Osmak said: “Something seems to be wrong every day.”
Facebook spokesman Sophy Silver said: “[Mrs Barson] has every right, within the abuse standards, to critique the performance of the headmaster at the school.”
dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk
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