Toby Belfield, the headmaster of Ruthin School in Denbighshire, sent an email to staff explaining that any student with a girlfriend or boyfriend “will definitely get a worse university reference” from him. Belfield also stated that students in relationships should “expect to find a new school in September”. Do you think the headmaster should bans relationships between students?
Toby Belfield, headmaster of £34k-a-year Ruthin School, says pupils in relationships could be expelled. What role should schools have in guiding pupils about their personal lives? #DarrenOnLBC pic.twitter.com/ELdOLvf1Sw
— LBC (@LBC) January 24, 2018
“I will put together a list of any student with a boyfriend or girlfriend. These students — if in lower sixth form or year 11 — can expect to find new schools in September.”
Not surprisingly, Mr Belfield’s charming comments have spurred on some alienated Twitter users to air their thoughts.
Pupils would like to remind the head teacher at Ruthin School that it's really none of his business. https://t.co/1MyiCYQx7F
— Ollie Whittingham (@ollie_whitt) January 23, 2018
Head of @ruthinschool @tobybelfield "will give worse university references to students with boyfriends or girlfriends." Nice chap threatening to ruin kids aspirations / prospects. https://t.co/B2uS65NGxR
— Richard Taylor (@richardt73) January 24, 2018
One user takes it even further, accusing the head of breaching the students’ article 8 rights.
Is this not a breach of an individual’s Article 8 #ECHR rights – right to respect for private and family life? Surely a child does not give up this right when his parents decide he will board at #RuthinSchool – #TobyBelfield sounds like a truly awful headmaster #Education
— nonamedame (@JustAnOthr) January 24, 2018
Do you think Toby Belfield has overstepped the line by banning relationships between students? Tweet us your opinions @Student_Pocket.
-Written by Elliot Norman-
If you are an aspiring journalist who is looking to get your work published on our Student Pocket Guide website, did you know you can create your own Author account? By doing so, you will be able to submit your own content for our approval. You’ll be able to create you own profile including links to your social media accounts, whilst writing a bit about yourself in the ‘about’ section.
Why not whilst you’re here, take a read of our latest digital magazine featuring some of the biggest names on the scene, with the chance to win exclusive prizes, redeem student discounts and what’s more, it’s free.
If you want to see more interesting Student Pocket Guide content on your timeline, you can follow our social media accounts! We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok!
