Teacher suspended for alleged racist WhatsApp post

A teacher has been suspended at a private school after allegedly posting a racist image on messaging app WhatsApp.

In a post, seen by the BBC, the teacher appeared to have shared a digitally manipulated image of Adolf Hitler as a black man, accompanied by blanked-out text resembling a racial slur.

St Edward's School in Oxford said it had suspended the employee while it conducted a "full investigation".

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said the post was "not only racially offensive and inappropriate" but also "dangerous and traumatic".

Talking to the BBC, they said the picture had been seen by "at least one student" and was now "circulating among families at the school".

"Many of us in the school community are shocked and outraged," they said.

"Racism in schools isn't just 'inappropriate' - it has lasting psychological, emotional, and academic impacts on students.

"Black students should not have to feel unsafe, dehumanised, or marginalised in a place that should nurture their growth and self-worth."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the school said: "Following information the school received about this incident, we can confirm that a member of staff has been suspended while the school conducts a full investigation.

"St Edward's School does not tolerate racist or discriminatory behaviour of any kind.

"We take any alleged contravention of our robust code of conduct extremely seriously."

The spokesperson added the school would not be commenting further whilst its internal investigation was under way.

St Edward's, known as Teddies, was founded in 1863 and educates more than 800 students aged between 13 and 18.

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