AN ASSISTANT head teacher at The Billericay School faces an investigation into her use of obscene and sexually graphic language on the web.

Described as an "excellent teacher" and a "leader of innovation", Charlotte Berry, 42, regularly posted messages on Twitter containing inappropriate language.

Mrs Berry, who teaches media and art at the School Road establishment, closed her account on the microblogging site shortly after being contacted by the Gazette on Monday.

Messages from Mrs Berry and public conversations she has held with other users since Thursday last week include:

"I bought tins so I'd have more time for b**w jobs..."

"How easily I slip into the default mode of lazy slut."

"I think it's to clean round the taps while w*nking in the bathroom. sex expert face"

"I don't even count it as a swear anymore. I keep saying it in class."

"Who wants to go and get p*ssed?"

well this day is shaping up. Warn you though, after 1 drink I say 'c***' a lot and after 2, I try to snog people"

"completely. I'm a total bender and an a*se. Will feel less of one once I've had a shower. Xx"

"But I've been doing everything he says!! (Except the w*nking with toothbrush thing obviously)"

The school states in its online prospectus: "We should remember that our conduct in the wider community will reflect the expected standards of our school."

Mrs Berry, who has taught at the school for 12 years, is a mother and is believed to live outside Billericay.

Before closing her Twitter account, Mrs Berry had amassed 528 followers under the username 'talktoteens'.

Followers can read and comment on messages posted by the user, but comments posted online are available to a global web audience.

Among those 'following' her include several former students and teachers, although it is unclear whether any current pupils at The Billericay School 'followed' Mrs Berry.

However, in a Tweet posted on Monday morning Mrs Berry said: "Traffic is preventing me from being at my only lesson today. Get on with coursework if you're listening.

"Oh and get me a yorkie from vendors".

The Gazette became aware of Mrs Berry's posts when she sent a Tweet to our account commenting on a story we had written about her school.

Mrs Berry declined to comment.

School governor Peter Owen said he will investigate the matter with the chairman of the board of governors.

Mr Owen said: "I have got the greatest respect for Charlotte Berry. She is an excellent teacher and leader of innovation at the school."

The Billericay School was graded as "outstanding" by Ofsted inspectors in February this year.

In a statement, head teacher Sue Hammond said: "The school actively discourages staff and students from participating in social networking sites as statements are constantly taken out of context.

"The statements highlighted will, of course, be investigated fully and if necessary, action taken.

"However, no complaints about Twitter activity have ever been received by the school.

"The member of staff's Twitter account appears to have been individually targeted, accessing conversations with friends unconnected with the school and taken completely out of context.

"The school is saddened that the decision has been taken to print these individual, unrelated comments, however indiscreet, in a newspaper medium to an audience for whom they were not intended."

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