Mark Whitehead 03 June 2019

Birmingham council granted interim injunction to protect school from protests

A court order banning protests over sex education outside a Birmingham school is set to be reviewed next week.

The interim injunction was imposed after an application by Birmingham City Council following several weeks of protest outside Anderton Park Primary School where pupils were returning today after the half term holiday.

The council's leader Ian Ward urged parents to engage in constructive dialogue with the school over their concerns.

The mainly Muslim protestors complain that the local authority school should not be teaching pupils about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships.

But headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson says the lessons are 'age-appropriate', for example by teaching younger pupils that some children may have two parents of the same sex.

The interim injunction prohibits all forms of protest within a specific area around the school.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: 'I'm pleased that common sense has prevailed because children right across Birmingham should be free to attend school safely and without disruption.

'All our schools must be safe spaces and we will not tolerate the ongoing intimidation of parents, hard-working school staff and local residents.

'This interim injunction has been secured in time for the return to school and now hopefully the pupils will be able to continue their education in peace for the remainder of the summer term.

'We'll continue to support the school and its staff and I would urge parents to take this opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with the school about any concerns they may have.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Digital, Data and Technology

Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
£139,000 per annum
Shape the future of a digitally enabled borough Tower Hamlets, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Director of Adult Social Care Commissioning

Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
£130,000 per annum
Transforming outcomes through integrated commissioning Tower Hamlets, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Tower Hamlets London Borough Council
£145,000 per annum
Leading innovative, strengths-based social care that enables residents to live fulfilling and independent lives Tower Hamlets, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Director of People & Organisational Development

Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority
Up to £120,000 per annum
Design the people foundations of a new organisation before they become someone else’s legacy. Hybrid, working across Sussex. Relocation support available
Recuriter: Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority

Director of Law, Governance & Compliance (Monitoring Officer)

Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority
c£120,000
Design how a new strategic authority governs itself, then lead it into its first mayoral term. Hybrid, working across Sussex. Relocation support available
Recuriter: Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority
Linkedin Banner