Birmingham school protests permanently banned

PROTESTERS will no longer be able to hold demonstrations outside a Birmingham primary school against LGBT inclusive education.

A High Court judge on Tuesday (26) ruled in favour of an exclusion zone to remain around Anderton Park.

Mr Justice Warby said that the constant protests outside the school had a negative impact on students, residents and staff members.

He added: “The judgment notes that the true position so far as the teaching is concerned has been misrepresented, sometimes grossly misrepresented, in the course of the protests. Speakers … have alleged that it [the school] is pursuing a ‘paedophile agenda’, and teaching children how to masturbate. None of this is true.”

The protests at the school erupted over LGBT relationship education. Many parents belonging to Islamic faith said the lessons weren't age appropriate and that it went against their religious beliefs.

Following the ruling, Dr Tim O’Neill, director of education and skills at Birmingham city council, said the judgment had vindicated the school.

He said: “As this court case has demonstrated, there remains a gap between the reality of what is and isn’t being taught at the school. Protests of this kind only serve to attract fringe elements whose aim is to stoke division and hatred.”

The school's headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson said she was happy with the ruling.

Speaking outside court, she said: “We will carry on doing what we do. When people say things about you that are not true, that is very difficult. It has taken us to come to the high court to clear that up.

“We are particularly thrilled that the school has not been criticised at all in anything the judge has said.”

Meanwhile, protesters said an appeal was “highly likely” and their campaign would go on.