A Birmingham primary school where one of the teachers is up for a $1 million teacher prize has put its LGBT lessons on hold following parent protests.
Andrew Moffat was named last month as a top 10 finalist for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize in recognition of his No Outsiders programme, which involves giving pupils lessons about same-sex relationships.
However, the lessons at Parkfield Community School have been met with parent protests. The school in Saltley, Birmingham, serves a predominantly Muslim community, and The Guardian reported that hundreds of children were withdrawn from the school for the day on Friday.
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A letter posted on Parkfield’s website by its operator, Excelsior Multi-Academy, says: “Up to the end of this term, we will not be delivering any No Outsiders lessons. In our long term year curriculum plan, as this half term has already been blocked for religious education (RE). Equality assemblies will continue as normal and our welcoming No Outsiders ethos will be there for all.”
According to the letter, a meeting was held at the school in February at which it was agreed that there would “a discussion with the school community about the No Outsiders curriculum and how it should be delivered”.
“We will arrange a series of meetings with the parents of each Year Group over the next half term to share and discuss the teaching of The Equality Act 2010 at Parkfield. Letters detailing the dates and times will be sent to each class individually.”
The letter says that “many parents have approached the school in the last few weeks to express support for the No Outsiders ethos and to say they understand what No Outsiders is about and why it is important to teach children about difference in the UK”.
“The school encourages parents to ask their children what No Outsiders is really about, as the children are very clear there is no focus on one aspect of equality, rather No Outsiders teaches that everyone is welcome.”
The letter urges parents to stop the “upsetting” protests. “It is also essential that pupils are prepared for life in modern Britain,” it says.
“The weekly protests are upsetting for all, disrupt the normal routines of the school and will have an overall effect on the educational achievement and well-being of your children.
“We therefore appeal to you to stop the weekly protests.”
Following reports that the lessons had been stopped because of the protests, Parkfield said this claim was “misleading”. “Parent meetings/workshops are soon to begin and our no outsiders work continues,” it said in a tweet.
Tes contacted the school for comment.
