Headteacher apologises to parents after asking students to draft suicide note for homework

A secondary school has been forced to apologise to parents after an English teacher asked students to draft a suicide note for homework as part of a module on Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth.

More than 60 pupils at Thomas Tallis school, Kidbrooke, London were asked to pen a final note to their loved ones after reading one of the play’s most celebrated scenes, when Lady Macbeth takes her own life.

Having conspired with her husband to murder King Duncan, Lady Macbeth commits suicide by “self and violent hands” after being driven mad by guilt and violent imagery of his murder.

However, the decision has caused outrage among parents, some of whom claimed their children had been personally affected by the issue.

Headmistress Caroyln Roberts

Criticising Thomas Tallis for its lack of sensitivity, one mother said her daughter had been told to write the note – despite having lost three friends to suicide.

She added that her daughter had become “very distressed” over the issue, and had told the teacher in question that such material made her feel uncomfortable.

“My daughter had had personal experience with people her age committing suicide,” she added. “On what universe was it ever, under any situation, a good idea to ask a group of teenagers to write suicide notes?

“My daughter is very outspoken but there are other kids not as vocal who might be suffering from depression. I support them [Thomas Tallis school] addressing suicide but it should be in a supportive environment.”

Other parents branded the decision “absolutely disgusting” and “insensitive”, with one claiming that the assignment had been ill-conceived given the age of the students involved.

"I can't imagine why a place of education would do something so insensitive, especially as childhood and teenage depression and anxiety is at an all time high at the moment,” they added.

"My daughter's friend committed suicide in the last year of sixth form a year or so ago. My daughter has never got over it and is still receiving counselling."

Commenting on the incident, headmistress Caroyln Roberts said: “A parent contacted us with concerns about a written exercise given to a class during studies of a play by Shakespeare.

"We appreciate that the exercise was upsetting to the family and have discussed the subject matter and approach with teaching staff.

"I met with the parent last week and apologised wholeheartedly on behalf of the school and reassured them about the actions that have been taken.

"The parent accepted the apology in a meeting that was friendly and cordial."