A support staff member at Wilmington Academy in Dartford has been suspended after a video emerged appearing to show them using a racist slur in conversation with a student.

The video, which has circulated on social media platforms, appeared to show a Black student in conversation with member of staff who used a racist term during the exchange.

It generated outrage on social media with many expressing their dismay at the racist language used.

The school told News Shopper it has since responded with an investigation into what happened, and suspended the support staff member involved.

A statement posted to the school's website today (Wednesday, July 7) confirmed that the school were conducting a "full formal investigation" into the incident.

"Yesterday evening we were made aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show a member of our support staff at Wilmington Academy using a racially derogatory term during a discussion with a student," a spokesperson for the school said.

"The member of staff involved has now been suspended pending a full formal investigation into the incident.

"The student in the video will receive any necessary support they require from senior leaders and specialist trained staff.

"Wilmington Academy and Leigh Academies Trust does not tolerate the use of any racially derogatory language by staff or students and treats any such breach extremely seriously.

"As a Trust we serve a diverse community that expects us to uphold the highest standards of equality and inclusion and as such we will be taking proactive steps to prevent any incidents like this occuring in the future."