A secondary school in Plumstead has "taken action" after racist language was allegedly used by a student on social media.

Plumstead Manor has also denied "silencing" students who protested at break time on Friday (December 14) with "Stop the Racism" banners.

Any students who posted racism online have been disciplined, according to the school.

Problems started when a pupil posted a lip-synced Snapchat video where she "sang along" to a song containing the n-word. 

This escalated when anoter girl posted an offensive image on Snapchat making reference to the song. 

The row erupted further when a screenshot of a social media message was shared on Twitter.

The controversial post, allegedly written by another white student at the school, said: "All these blacks protesting about everything just not one thing otherwise you will not be heard."

They also questioned whether it was racist for a white person to sing along to the n-word in a song.

The message added: "I ain’t no racist don’t get it twisted but I won’t let black people throw dirt on us white people because we say n**** in songs when the government band the word n**** in songs I’ll stop singing it with my chest."

One Twitter user claimed her cousin led a protest at the school but ended up being punished and silenced.

However, the school denied this and held an assembly to make clear the school's opposition to racism.

Douglas Greig, head of the school, said: "We do not tolerate or accept any form of prejudice or extreme views at Plumstead Manor School. Harmony and justice are central to our values, and so hate-filled or racist views of any kind have no place in our community. 

"Contrary to recent social media posts by others we have indeed disciplined any students who have used offensive and racist language online. We have listened to students who rightly voiced their concern about this during a protest, while the school day ultimately had to carry on. These views do not represent the views of our community and are utterly against our ethos and values."

In a serious of tweets, Plumstead Manor wrote: "Plumstead Manor is a thriving secondary school where we cherish and celebrate the wide range of cultures, faiths, backgrounds that make up our whole. We are a vibrant and diverse community and there is no place for hatred or prejudice of any kind in our community.

"We are fully aware of the issue that has arisen over social media and the use of offensive and hate-filled language that has been associated with our school. These views do not represent the views of our community and are utterly against our ethos and values.

"We are working with the relevant authorities who need to be involved in this, and have taken action at school this week, and this weekend in light of a number of social media posts that have come to our attention.

"We cannot publicise our actions, but we have addressed the issues. We will not tolerate or accept any form of prejudice or extreme views. Harmony and justice are central to our values, and so hate-filled or racist views of any kind have no place in our community.

"Contrary to recent twitter posts we have disciplined any students who have used offensive and racist language online. Other students have not been silenced and in fact we have listened very carefully and very hard. Please see the previous tweets for our response to this matter."

Deputy leader of Greenwich Council, David Gardner, told News Shopper: "This incident did not take place on school premises, and I know the school does not tolerate any kind of such behaviour.

"There is no place for racist language online, or anywhere else, and I applaud Plumstead Manor School for its swiftly taking action to investigate and discipline the students concerned for this totally unacceptable behaviour."