The staff from Turriff Academy, in Aberdeenshire, said they were ridiculed on a website containing photographs and personal details.

The disclosure came from teachers attending the annual conference of the Educational Institute for Scotland union in Dundee.

They said 27 members of staff were included on the 11-page website constructed by two ex-pupils.

John Black: "Abusive and distressing"

It incited other pupils to harass, follow, phone, e-mail and verbally abuse teachers.

The teachers were notified about the site's existence at a staff meeting.

John Black, EIS association secretary in Aberdeenshire, said he believed a parent told the school about the existence of the website.

The headteacher then called an emergency staff meeting to inform the teachers.

Confidential information

Mr Black said there were two parts to the site, one focusing "very specifically" on the teachers in the school and their families.

He said: "It featured photographs, confidential and private information that wouldn't normally have been in the public domain.

"It made accusations and threats and was extremely abusive and distressing."

If it can happen in Turriff it can happen anywhere and we need to know what the position is for any staff who are involved in an incident like this

Jack Barnett, EIS union

The second part, which was "equally sinister", incited people to stalk the staff.

"It had a procedure to follow if you wanted to go about stalking someone," said Mr Black, who added that pupils appeared to have gone to great lengths to get the information.

EIS colleague Jack Barnett said teachers had decided to speak about the incident, which came to light last year, to warn their colleagues and raise concerns about teacher safety.

"If it can happen in Turriff it can happen anywhere and we need to know what the position is for any staff who are involved in an incident like this," he said.

'Legal advice'

Aberdeenshire Council said the site was created outside school hours at a pupil's home.

Donald Stewart, the rector of Turriff Academy, said: "When we were made aware of the site we took immediate action.

"I called a staff meeting and took legal advice from council lawyers.

"Grampian Police were called in and the website was closed down.

"The two former pupils responsible were given a formal warning."