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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alahna Kindred

School plays down protest following claims of nationwide 'riots' organised on TikTok

A school has attempted to play down a protest which took place following claims of nationwide demonstrations organised on TikTok.

Police were been called to several schools across the UK last week when things boiled over after pupils "went on the rampage” over various rule changes.

On Friday, riot police attended Richmond School in North Yorkshire with reports stating teachers were allegedly pushed over and a tree was set on fire.

Kids let off fire extinguishers, kicked down doors and smashed windows on a day of disorder.

It is understood the protest was planned on TikTok after rules were announced to lock the toilets during lesson time, and for a part of their breaks.

Protests happened across the country las week (not Unity Academy) (LancsLive/TikTok)

At Penrice Academy in St Austell, Cornwall, tables were flipped and a girl had her hair "pulled out" after a demo was staged this afternoon.

After a call to arms on social media last Thursday evening, the children banded together but witnesses said things "got out of hand" and one student was reportedly treated by an ambulance.

Students at Unity Academy in Blackpool also tried to take up the trend, which Headteacher Stephen Cooke played down by saying it involved a very small number of pupils and it lasted "15 minutes".

A huge protest was staged at The Farnley Academy (leedslive)
Pupils 'flipped tables' at Penrice Academy in Cornwall (Cornwall Live)

Mr Cooke said that following the protests on Friday, some were keen to protest.

He told LancashireLive : "Student voice is important to the academy and in order to ensure all students had an opportunity to share concerns, form time was extended this morning by 10 minutes in order to offer the opportunity for students to share these concerns, which colleagues committed to responding to later on this week."

He added that many of the concerns related to basic school rules and several students spoke to staff in support of these expectations.

Mr Cooke continued: "Despite providing opportunities for this morning, a very small number of the school population (less than 5%) chose to take part in a protest by not going to class after the lunch break. The number of students reduced quickly and they were supervised by staff at all times.

"The 'protest' lasted for around 15 minutes before being brought to a calm conclusion by staff."

A head teacher at Haven High Academy in Boston blamed pupils' "unacceptable" protest on a social media trend - and warned students that they will be met with sanctions if it happens again.

Sit-ins have also been staged at Bromfords School in Wickford and at Castle View School in Canvey.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students have staged a mass protest outside a school in Leeds, Yorkshire, following a decision by staff to close the majority of its facilities during lesson time.

Crowds of children vented their anger at The Farnley Academy's new policy, which only gives them access to centrally located bathrooms within teaching periods.

When the Mirror approached the Unit Academy for comment, Mr Cooke said he had nothing further to add.

The Mirror contacted TikTok for comment.

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