Four Fulston Manor School pupils have been suspended after a video went viral online of them taking part in fights on Albany Rec.

The youngsters, aged 11 or 12, were watched and egged on by a crowd of onlookers, who filmed and took pictures before uploading them onto social media websites.

Head teacher Alan Brookes confirmed those involved had been excluded and their parents informed.

“This sort of thing is incredibly unusual for Fulston Manor and my biggest concern is the fact that it has been blown up by social media,” he said.

“The boys have been dealt with and their parents are involved in the matter.”

Mr Brookes said an assembly was held to reinforce the message that violence was unacceptable.

“It was pre-arranged after an argument and the boys decided to fight away from the school, knowing how serious we take situations such as this,” he said.

“Clearly the school takes it seriously as it is our reputation and the boys were in our school’s uniform.”

Mr Brookes declined to say how long the boys had been suspended for and was keen to point out the vast majority of the school’s 1,300 pupils did not engage in such behaviour.

In a letter sent to parents, he added: “Quite apart from the protagonists themselves, I am deeply concerned by the students who appeared to find it acceptable not only to provide an audience but also active encouragement for the boys involved.

“Worse than this is the way in which a number of these students both videoed the event on phones and then uploaded these images through a variety of social media outlets.

“I have spoken to the whole school and made it clear the damage their actions have done to the reputation of the school.

“I am so proud of so many of our students for what they achieve and how they conduct themselves on a daily basis.

“It is distressing that the thoughtfulness of so few has the potential to undo so much that is outstanding about our community.”

The two separate fights, involving two boys each, happened last Wednesday.