A school in Derbyshire, England has caused outrage by advertising “bikini body” fitness classes for pupils.
The Ripley Academy for students aged 11–18, displayed posters for the after-school class which was organised by a supply teacher.
One parent told the
Matlock Mercury:
“This is sexualising the fitness class.”
“Isn’t it bad enough to have impressionable girls already be worrying about the state of their bodies?”
Another parent spoke to the
Telegraph saying "I feel sorry for the school. The classes had been advertised without much thought and had been done so without the school’s blessings.”
The classes have since been canceled and the school principal, Carey Ayres has publicly apologised, stating that she was unaware of the class.
A spokesperson told
The Huffington Post UK:
“As soon as we were made aware of these after-school classes they were cancelled as they did not reflect the values of the academy.”
“We would like to sincerely apologise for any offence caused. They were organised by a supply teacher, who is covering a member of staff on maternity leave, without permission from the principal and this issue will be dealt with internally."
“We would never condone any class, or after-school activity, that may put pressure on any young person in terms of their own body image.”
