Norwich Dad Slams School Head Over Flawed ADHD Assembly Claim
When Nigel Cullumbines daughter came home from Hethersett Academy on September 4, she had a story to tell. During a Year 11 assembly, executive principal Jane Diver had allegedly told students that too much screen time can cause ADHD. The claim, as Cullumbines daughter understood it, was clear: excessive screen use could give you the neurodevelopmental condition.
For Cullumbine, who was diagnosed with autism two years ago, the moment landed like a punch. “Of all the people to say something like that, a head teacher should know better,” he told reporters.
But heres where it gets messier. The schools trust says Diver actually said something different: that excessive screen time can worsen the effects of ADHD, not cause it. Cullumbines daughter, however, wasnt the only one who heard the original version. According to the father, an English teacher later “corrected the record” when pupils returned to class.
That correction, Cullumbine argues, is the smoking gun. If teachers felt the need to walk back the heads words, then the message itself was flawed. “To essentially blame the child, who might be struggling for causing their own challenges, is unforgiveable,” he said. “And not something anyone responsible for children should be saying, let alone someone in a leadership position.”
What the Science Actually Says
Lets clear the air. ADHD—attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain works. Symptoms typically start in childhood and include difficulties with attention, concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviour. The NHS is unambiguous: ADHD is not caused by children using screens. Genetics play a significant role, and the exact causes arent fully understood.
Some experts do say that excessive screen time can make symptoms worse for some people. Thats a far cry from saying screens cause the condition. The distinction matters—not just semantically, but for how kids understand their own brains. A child with ADHD who hears their head teacher imply they gave themselves the condition through too much iPad time is a child who might internalise blame for something entirely outside their control.
The Trusts Response
Inspiration Trust, which runs Hethersett Academy and several other schools across Norfolk, pushed back. A spokesman said Diver had “referred to excessive screen time worsening the effects of ADHD” during the assembly, which was also about the new mobile phone policy. The trust said it hadnt been contacted with any complaints about the assembly.
When pressed on whether those exact words—“excessive screen time worsens the effects of ADHD”—were what Diver actually said, the trust didnt respond. That silence leaves a gap between what the school claims was said and what students apparently heard. And in that gap, a fathers frustration grows.
Why This Matters Beyond One School
This isnt just about one assembly or one head teacher. Its about how schools talk about neurodivergence. Mobile phone bans are increasingly common, and there are legitimate conversations to be had about screen time, attention, and mental health. But those conversations need to be grounded in accurate science. When theyre not, they can do real harm.
Cullumbines daughter isnt the only student who might have walked away from that assembly confused. Multiply that by every school where similar oversimplifications get repeated, and youve got a generation of kids who might misunderstand their own brains—or worse, blame themselves for a condition they didnt cause.
The trust says any complaints received will be handled according to its policy. But Cullumbines complaint isnt just procedural. Its personal. “That may have been the message intended,” he said, “but it was not the message heard.”
What Parents and Schools Can Do
If youre a parent of a neurodivergent child, this story might resonate. Its worth asking your childs school how they talk about ADHD and other conditions. Are they using accurate language? Are they distinguishing between cause and exacerbation? Are they creating space for students to ask questions without shame?
For schools, the takeaway is simpler: words matter. A head teachers assembly can shape how hundreds of kids see themselves. Getting the science right isnt just good practice—its a responsibility. When you blur the line between “causes” and “worsens,” you risk turning a supportive message into a stigmatising one.
Cullumbines daughter heard one thing. The trust says another was said. The truth likely sits somewhere in between. But for families navigating ADHD, the difference isnt academic. Its the difference between understanding and blame. And thats not something any child should have to sort out on their own.
Autorius
Mike Brown
Mike Brown – One of those authors who helps readers not get lost in today's news flow. He dives into political affairs as well as world events, social trends, and everyday stories that matter to everyone. The main focus of his work is fact-checking, clear language, and the ability to lay out the key points so that the reader gets a comprehensive and reliable picture of the topic in just a few minutes.
Related Articles
Comments
No comments yet.