Primary school head apologises after Michael Jackson's Thriller video gave pupils nightmares

It was supposed to be part of their education but young children at a Hampshire school have been left with nightmares. Angry parents have complained after teachers at the primary school showed the youngsters part of the Michael Jackson 'Thriller' music video in a lesson. But when they went home the children, aged between seven and eight, at Berrywood Primary School in Hedge End, Southampton, started having nightmares.

Now the headteacher has written a letter of apology after complaints from parents of the children in the two Year Three classes. One mother, who asked not to be named, said: “Lots of children had night terrors as a result of watching the video. I think it was a very bad judgement call by the teacher.” The head Chris Reilly told parents the school showed part of the famous video from 1983. It features Jackson turning into a zombie and dancing with a number of 'undead' performing in macabre make-up. Now Mr Reilly has sent a letter of apology to the parents at the 630-pupil school.



It said: “It is with considerable regret that I am writing to you to apologise that the children in classes KP/3 and CF/3 were yesterday shown the Michael Jackson Thriller music video without parental consent being sought. With hindsight it is also regrettable that more careful consideration of the content and potential impact on the children was not applied before they watched it.” Mr Reilly said the issue has been “addressed internally” and teachers will keep a close eye on the children who saw the film. His letter added: “For the purposes of clarification, music videos are not subject to an age classification (although a pilot scheme was introduced on 1st October 2014), however, films are.

“The longer version of the Thriller video is classified by the British Board of Film Classification to be a short film. The children did not watch all of this version and the vast majority of the content shown was the dance sequence. I have sought advice from the Hampshire legal team prior to writing this letter and have provided them with a copy to keep on record. I fully understand the concern and anger felt by parents as a result of this error. I am confident that lessons have been learnt and the right steps have been taken as a result. I am now hopeful that we can work together to put the matter behind us.”