A secondary school has been described as "shameful" for posting a job advert seeking a "strong disciplinarian" to keep pupils in line.

Childhood experts and parents have hit out at Towers School in Kennington, Ashford, after a vacancy was advertised for a Behaviour Correction Centre Lead at the school.

Talking about those who would be the best fit for the job, it states: "This role isn’t suited to a would-be counsellor or to someone who wants to be every child’s best friend."

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The advert notes that in addition to discipline, the role will involve analysing data, organising detentions, ringing parents and "having heart-to-heart conversations with students".

It adds the job is for "someone who believes tough love is what children need".

Lisa Cherry, a speaker and trainer for child welfare, was one of many who shared the job listing, criticising its content.

She tweeted: "This is in #Kent. This is shameful.

"This advert is talking about children written by people who know nothing about children and young people."

Yet the school's deputy principal has defended the job advert, saying "we are strict because we care".

The advertisement on the school's website reads: "We are teaching students to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

"We expect the best of all of our students because to expect anything less would not be acceptable.

"We believe that a reason is not an excuse and we expect students to show resilience in all aspects of their schooling. At Towers we do what we say we will do and we do not make excuses. We are respectful, we stand together and we take collective responsibility for our actions."

It adds that the role will be "pivotal" in the school's progression.

It continues: "If you believe in strong discipline, no excuses and that children should be respectful and obedient at all times then this may be the role for you.

"The role is suitable for a strong disciplinarian who believes that a culture of excellent behaviour and respect is crucial to the development of children and central to maximising their life chances."

The position has a KR7 pay scale salary, which can range between £21,790 and £24,790 per annum.

It is advertised as a full time role at 37 hours a week, and applicants must have English grade A-C and evidence of time management and multitasking.

It also states commitment to understanding "all aspects of child safeguarding" is essential experience.

It adds: "This role is for someone who believes children need clear, firm discipline. This role is for someone who believes tough love is what children need to become better people and grow into responsible young adults.

"We want someone who will oversee the Behaviour Correction provision and ensure that students see it as an appropriate deterrent.

"We also want someone who will analyse data, organise detentions, line-manage staff, ring parents, be extremely efficient with time and paperwork, have heart-to-heart conversations with students and be inspirational."

The notice also states that potential candidates do not need any previous experience working within a school environment, but "must be willing to learn on the job".

It states: "You must also be hard-working, willing to get stuck in and own the job like it is the most important thing in the world to you.

"We will train you if you are the right person for the job. So don’t imagine you cannot do it.

"If you have presence, passion and a good voice, then we want to meet you! The salary we are offering is higher than a job like this would normally pay. This is because we want someone who is truly excellent."

The posting has attracted waves of criticism over the language used to pitch the position.

Twitter user @DrKelly_PS said: "If I were a parent I'd avoid Towers School in Kent! Tough love! Behaviour correction centre! Job description reads like a Dickensian novel."

@RoseAnnieFlo said: "More Terrifying 'Behaviour Correction Centre Lead' post at Towers School in Kent.

"Need willingness to 'own the job', deliver 'tough love' and ensure the 'behaviour correction centre' is an effective deterrent.

"No teaching quals & no experience required."

But others felt the posting was an encouraging approach to education. @StuartLock tweeted: "This is a school I would send my children to. Good on them for having high expectations."

@jwscattergood said: "Behaviour is key to learning. You have to support students in their endeavour. There is nothing inherently wrong with this position."

The deputy principal at the school Rob Gaygan has defended the school and the criteria on Twitter, saying: "Today, a small number of people made unfounded & ridiculous assumptions about @TowersSchool

"For the record: 1.We deliver a knowledge rich education 2.We are strict because we care 3. ALL students make progress 4. Students learn in a purposeful environment and 5. I am #ProudToBeTowers."

In another tweet he added: "We’ve never been more sure that we are doing the right thing for our staff, for our community and most most importantly, every pupil. We don’t label, we don’t excuse, we make them the best versions of themselves."

Additionally, an English teacher at the school Tara McVey added: "This week people have made assumptions about our school based on inferences driven by their own prejudices.

"We’re an ordinary school trying to be exceptional and our Behaviour Correction Lead role is part of that." She added a link to the role for those with 'an open mind and want to know'.

In a statement, Towers School said: "It is the case that a small minority of students do make wrong choices. In order that they do not interrupt the learning of others, these students will spend time on academic work in the Behaviour Correction Centre.

"Placement will be for specified amounts of time, according to the type and level of disruption and to the subsequent impact on others' learning.

"At Towers, we ensure that students are able to concentrate and work hard so the Behaviour Correction Centre Lead role will also allow all our teaching staff the freedom to teach 100% of the time and to ensure that no learning time is 'stolen' from our students, the vast majority of whom are excellent learners.

"We believe the honest job description for this new role correlates to common standards of good parenting, where 'tough love' addresses unacceptable behaviours.

"We passionately believe that addressing and correcting such negative behaviours helps prepare our students for life beyond Towers and to become good citizens, whichever path they choose to follow."

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford