An Oldham headteacher has received backlash for a post on X, formerly Twitter, on road safety.

Newman RC College headteacher Glyn Potts tweeted a video on Friday, October 13 and says he has since received ‘abuse’ in his direct messages.

In a video, the headteacher says that the duty for road safety "starts with our young people".

X users responded saying that drivers ‘play a part’ in road safety.

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In the video, Mr Potts says: “Today’s message is a plea for help from parents, guardians, elder brothers, elder sisters about our young people when they leave our school.

“It’s not just our school, it’s young people in general and it’s how they make use of that journey from school to home.

“Yesterday there were some comments on social media about our school and other schools locally about the young people not having due care and attention when crossing the roads, and that really should frighten the life out of us all.

“So, this morning, Mr Gray will be making sure that message is reinforced with our young people, and there will be an assembly planned for the week after half term, one of the weeks after half term, to reinforce that message.

“We’re working with GMP traffic to see whether they’re going to come in and support us, as they have done previously. But, ultimately, the main point of this is: when your young person gets home, ask them how they’ve walked home.

“Have they followed the green cross code? Are they wearing clothing that keeps them safe in these dark times? We’ve all got a duty here, but it starts with our young people. Please, can you help us?”

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X user Drew said: “Not even a word to all the parents about safe driving? No suggestion that drivers might need to play a part? Please do share details of the type of ‘clothing to keep you safe’ that would have helped 16-year-old Alisha Goup when hit on a pavement at speed.”

The Oldham Sixth Form College student was killed after she was crashed into by a man involved in a dangerous car chase. Earlier this year, research claimed that Oldham is one of the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in the UK.

In response to the reply, Mr Potts wrote: “Lots shared with parents and on all our social channels to ask drivers to be conscious of those walking/cycling to school.

“Not sure how an attempt to protect young people has become such a challenging position?”

User Mama Moose called Mr Potts an "amazing head for sure" but criticised "shifting the responsibility of road safety from licensed drivers to vulnerable minors".

In response, the headteacher said “TY. Really wasn’t goal to present as if I were shifting blame. I have no influence over drivers and little over our students. I want to avoid anyone being hurt. Post was reacting to incident in community. The level of abuse from some via posts and DMs has shocked me.”

Not all respondents were critical of the post.

X account Oldham Weather responded: “Agree. What I witness walking on the school-run to St. Herbert’s is unreal. The kids coming out of Radclyffe just cross Broadway & Hunt Lane like sheep. One walks on a red-man because it’s ‘clear’ and all follow. Only a matter of time before one is knocked down.”

Newman College did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Oldham Council declined a request for comment.