A GROUP of swearing teenagers are ruining the reputation of Trowbridge’s John of Gaunt School, says a man offended by their behaviour.

Paul Streeting, who lives in Bradford on Avon but visits his 93-year-old father in Trowbridge up to five times a week, was on a routine visit to Tesco in Brook Road when he encountered the “foul-mouthed” group.

Angered by the use of their language, Mr Streeting took to his blog to voice his concerns.

The 64-year-old said: “The problem has been building up there for a while at school turning out time. They are usually all right but there tends to be this group that gather in the play area and sit in there.

“They just cause a nuisance, swearing, and you can’t avoid it going in and out of the store. They were swearing at the top of their voices and I have been to some rough places in the world but the language they used in a public place, especially outside a school, was awful. The school have to do something about it because at the moment they are not dealing with it.”

Mr Streeting, a carer for his father who lives independently in Wingfield Road, said after complaining to the school, he hopes staff will explain to pupils that they need to be careful with their language around primary schools.

He added: “The feeling I got from the head teacher was that he seemed quite reluctant, and he asked me what they could do and I responded ‘surely the first thing is that you could have a chat to them at morning assembly’.

“I would like them to acknowledge that there is a problem but I doubt that by the feeling I got. I think when the children leave school they think aren’t representing it anymore but that’s not the case.”

Head teacher Mike Gunston, head teacher at John of Gaunt, said he was looking into the matter, adding: “The John of Gaunt School has a strong reputation as a respectful and supportive learning environment, and regularly reminds students of the importance of being positive role models in the community.”