Michael Jackson's Thriller leaves Berrywood Primary School pupils 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 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 mum, 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.

The full Thriller video - please attain parental permission before watching:

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, below, 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.”

Berrywood in Hedge End was last inspected by Ofsted in 2014 when it had declined from being a 'good' school to one that needs improvement.

Pupil achievement, quality of teaching and leadership and management were all highlighted as lacking.

But inspectors also praised Mr Reilly, appointed in April 2013, for his “strong, inspirational leadership” for ensuring the school turns around its decline since the previous inspection in 2009.

Pupils' behaviour and safety was ranked as 'good.'

The showing of the video last Thursday, ironically, came the same day as the behaviour of the children was praised in a letter to the school from a member of the public, which the school placed on its website.

Ruth Guy, Lay chairman of Winchester Deanery, wrote: “It was a joy to see beautifully behaved, bright-eyed, chattering children near the King Alfred statue in Winchester today, crossing difficult, busy roads but doing exactly what their teachers told them. As an ex-teacher I was impressed and asked a member of staff who they were.

“Please pass my congratulations on to all those involved. They did your school proud!”

No-one from the school was last night available for comment.

Thriller factfile:

The 13-minute video was filmed in autumn 1983 after sales of the groundbreaking Thriller album started to slow.

Hollywood director John Landis was drafted in to shoot the video which is packed with references to horror films.

In the longer version, which was classified as a Certificate 15 by the British Board of Film Classification, Jackson turns into a 'werecat', a feline werewolf, and chases his terrified girlfriend through a dark wood.

At one point he and his girlfriend are surrounded by the undead, one whose arm has just fallen off, and another with blood dripping from his mouth.

The full video contains a spoken word performance by famous horror film actor Vincent Price.

It starts with a disclaimer from Jackson: “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.”

It cost around £500,000 to make and has sold more than nine million copies, making it the most popular music video according to Guinness World Records.

When the video aired, MTV music channel ran it twice an hour to meet public demand.

On You Tube the video was been watched more than 218 million times, attracting 603,000 likes and 35,000 dislikes.

Co-starring with Jackson was former Playboy centerfold Ola Ray who later fell out with him over royalties.

In 1999 Thriller was voted the greatest music video of all time.

Berrywood Primary School

Headteacher writes to apologise to parents

Below is the full text of a letter written by the headteacher of Berrywood Primary School to parents of pupils at the school following the Thriller incident.

Dear Year 3 Parents,

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 the potential impact on the children was not applied before they watched it.

I understand that some of the children have been disturbed as a result of watching this and I take full responsibility; and again apologise unreservedly on behalf of the school.

This matter has been addressed internally and you have my assurance that no such instance will occur in the future.

All of the Year 3 team will keep a special eye out for any adverse effects and address these accordingly.

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.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Reilly Headteacher