Parents have been condemned for sending “offensive and inappropriate” emails to staff at a secondary school.

All parents of pupils at East Sussex County Council-run Chailey Secondary School in Mill Lane, South Chailey, near Lewes, received a letter last week informing them that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

Yesterday headteacher of the school Lesley Young declined to comment.

But in the letter to parents, seen by The Argus, she said: “Could I also please stress that while I appreciate that pressures of all kinds can result in emails being written in haste, I would not tolerate a member of staff emailing a parent in a tone that is inappropriate and I would ask that the same respect is afforded by parents to members of staff.

“It is fortunately rare but there have been occasions this term where the content of emails to us has been inappropriate and/or offensive.

“This is unhelpful to partnership and positive working between home and school.”

Chairman of internet bullying charity Cyber Smile Scott Freeman, based in Brighton, said: “This sets a terrible example to the pupils. The term ‘think before you click’ springs to mind more than ever before.

“To hear that parents and carers are emailing teachers and insulting them is outrageous. It is exactly the kind of impression that we do not want to set and it makes our job so much harder.

“We go into classes and talk to pupils about cyber bullying and this does not help.”

Previously parents have been told off for fighting outside Moulsecoomb Primary in Lewes Road, Brighton, and using inappropriate language outside Seaford Primary in Wilkinson Way, Seaford, although it is believed this is the first time mothers and fathers’ emails have been criticised.