Private school apologises after pupils 'black up' as slaves for Instagram photo

'Zero class despite their toff parents spending ludicrous amounts on their ‘education’,' claims critic

The Oratory School said leaders were 'extremely shocked and saddened' by the stunt

Teachers at a private boarding school have apologised after a group of boys “blacked up” and dressed as slaves for a photograph, posting it on Instagram.

Sixth-formers at the exclusive Oratory School in Oxfordshire wore the make-up and costumes for their leaving pictures, prompting outrage on social media.

The school, whose former pupils include rugby union player Danny Cipriani and which charges more than £11,000 a term for boarding and tuition, condemned their actions.

The pupils tried to go to an “informal” photoshoot made up as enslaved cotton workers but they were turned away by the headmaster.

However, the boys then took their own picture, which was posted on Instagram with the caption “revolt”.

When the photo was shared on Twitter, the Roman Catholic school came in for a torrent of criticism.

One user wrote: “What kind of boys are you raising, Oratory School? Zero class despite their toff parents spending ludicrous amounts on their ‘education’.”

Another said: “It’s 2018 and not much has changed! Not only did @oratoryschool allow students to do blackface, they have completely ignored the issue.”

A third called for the boys to be expelled.

A spokesperson for the school said in response to complaints: “It has been brought to our attention that a photo was recently posted on social media of a small number of pupils from our school while dressed in an offensive manner.

“The headmaster and senior staff were present for the photo and refused to allow the offensively dressed pupils to participate and the photo was taken without them being included.

“The photo – the existence of which we were unaware – that was taken and posted on social media was taken unofficially and was in no way with the consent or blessing of the school.”

The statement said school chiefs were “extremely shocked and saddened” that it had happened and apologised “unreservedly” for the offence caused.

“We are dealing with this matter internally,” it added.

“The Oratory School unequivocally condemns racist imagery of any sort.

“We will strengthen our tutorial programme to ensure that it is understood by all our pupils that such representations are utterly unacceptable.”

In 2014, a former housemistress at the school told a tribunal a pupil stoned wild birds, skinned live cats and humiliated younger boys.