Teacher Support Network's Group Chief Executive Julian Stanley's comments on reports of teachers' inappriopriate use of social networking sites:

"New technologies such as social networking sites can provide unique opportunities to improve communication within a school community and raise educational standards. Unfortunately, they can also be abused to the detriment of staff and student wellbeing.

At Teacher Support Network, we always recommend that teachers don't post information and photos about themselves and school related matters that they wouldn't want employers, colleagues, pupils or parents to see. We urge caution to teachers and ask them to be circumspect about what they do online, and particularly advise all teachers to think cautiously when using sites such as Twitter or Facebook, not only for their own peace of mind, but in the light of recent cyber attacks, for their own security.

While teachers and schools have their professional reputations to consider, what teachers choose to upload onto their private social networking sites should not impact on their day-to-day lives in the classroom.

If uploaded content or the online actions of staff are not deemed appropriate, then schools should have policies and procedures in place to discuss this behaviour with individuals properly and sensitively."

For further comment, contact Jason Harrison, Teacher Support Network's Acting Head of Marketing at jason.harrison@teachersupport.info or by telephone on: 020 7697 2762 / 07957 45373