Weeks of protests outside Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham came to a temporary end in June when Birmingham Civil Court imposed an exclusion zone around its site.
The demonstrating parents, mainly of Muslim faith, were unhappy with the school’s delivery of LGBT relationship education. Parents said issues surrounding sexuality were confusing their children, and also contradicted their religion, the BBC reported.
Religion and belief are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. However, so is sexual orientation, and the latest Government curriculum for primary schools encourages teachers to deliver age-appropriate LGBT teaching.
Author of A-Z of Inclusion in Early Childhood Mary Dickins believes the case shows more specific guidance and support is needed when faith is believed to clash with early years or primary curriculum and ethos. ‘Awareness-raising and equality training are sorely needed,’ she says.
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