A SECONDARY school teacher has been suspended after making “derogatory” comments in the middle of a school assembly.

Bosses at Gable Hall in Stanford-le-Hope will carry out a formal investigation into the comments made, which are alleged to have called students “retards” and “cowards”, according to a social media post.

The school is aware of the post, which went viral on Tuesday afternoon.

The comments were made during an assembly to year 11 students, to discuss the ethos at the school.

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Headteacher Ceri Evans who offered to discuss the matter with parents and students, issued a statement.  It said: “It has come to my attention that a member of my teaching staff has made derogatory comments to the cohort of year 11 students. As a school we do not tolerate or accept such behaviour.

“A formal investigation is now underway which has been assigned to a senior leader within the Ortu trust.  “The teacher is suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The decision of the investigation will be implemented by myself with the support of the governing body.”

The social media post claims the assembly was called as an “emergency.”

The comments were subsequently made at the same assembly, it is claimed.

It reads: “During our valuable lesson time, considering we have 27 weeks until our GCSEs, they decided to call an emergency assembly in which they verbally insulted us.”

In response, parents explained how the year 11 children are “amazing, but push buttons.”  Mr Evans, added: “I am aware that speculation is a virulent problem on social media.  “As always thank you for your continuing support.

“My door is open to any parent or student who may wish to talk with me about the incident today.”

A spokesman for the Ortu Trust, added: “We will be investigating an incident on Tuesday in which a teacher is alleged to have made a derogatory comment at an assembly held to discuss ethos within the school.”