LGBT row primary to restart equalities lessons

After five months of consultation, Parkfield announces modified “for a faith community” version of No Outsiders programme
3rd July 2019, 1:59pm

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LGBT row primary to restart equalities lessons

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/lgbt-row-primary-restart-equalities-lessons
Parkfield Community School Will Resume A Modified Version Of The No Outsiders Programme In September.

A Birmingham primary school at the centre of demonstrations about LGBT content in lessons has announced that it will resume with a modified version of the programme in September.

Earlier this year, Parkfield Community School in Birmingham became the focus of protests about No Outsiders.

The programme was developed by assistant head Andrew Moffat – a Global Teacher Prize nominee – to teach children about equalities, and is taught by schools across the country.


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The school suspended the lessons before Easter while it tried to reach a resolution with parents.

Now, it has announced that a modified version of the scheme, known as "No Outsiders for a faith community", would be introduced in September.

However, the BBC has reported that a parent group feels it was still “biased” towards LGBT issues.

A school spokesperson said: “Following five months of consultation with parents, community representatives and the DfE, Parkfield Community School will be relaunching their equality teaching in September 2019. 

“As a result of the consultation ‘No Outsiders for a faith community’ has been especially designed for Parkfield Community School acknowledging and respecting the concerns and sensitivity expressed by some parents in the present school community. 

“In the resource, there are lessons referencing race, religion, age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation and disability.”

The spokesperson said the school was sharing the resources for the programme with parents ahead of September through year group sessions, and added: “Our school ethos of equality and everyone being welcome remains a key aspect of our school.”

Mr Moffat has previously spoken about the effect of the protests, which saw some of his pupils joining the demonstrations.

In March, he told Tes: “It’s very hurtful. I think the worst part for me was when adults who weren’t actually parents were getting children to chant 'Get Mr Moffat out.' Now that was awful.”

The school has paid for him to have counselling.

Demonstrations against LGBT content spread to Anderton Park Primary, also in Birmingham, which does not use the No Outsiders programme.

That school has won a High Court injunction against demonstrations outside its gates, and is awaiting a full trial about the issue later this month.

Claire Evans, deputy head at Anderton Park, has described the protests as “utterly horrific”, saying she “would not wish it upon anybody else to have to go through”.

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