- Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Keerthi Mohan
A SCHOOL in Birmingham that suspended LGBT equality classes after protests is set to resume a modified version of No Outsiders programme in September.
The Parkfield community school in Saltley witnesses weekly protests over No Outsiders lessons, which parents said promoted gay and transgender lifestyles.
The new version of the lessons, called ‘No Outsiders for a Faith Community’, has been amended to respect parental concerns. The programme was relaunched after five months of consultation with parents, community representatives and the Department of Education.
A school spokesperson said: “Following five months of consultation with parents, community representatives and the DfE [Department for Education], 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 programme’s creator, Andrew Moffatt, his aim was to introduce children to diversity in society.
“The aim of the programme was to find a way to teach children about the Equality Act 2010, developing an understanding of British values through an inclusive curriculum and school ethos,” he had said previously.
“A key element of the No Outsiders ethos is engagement with parents from the start, in order to promote solid foundations of tolerance that are matched both in and outside the school gates.”
However, the Parkfield Parents Group, which organised the protests, said members voted against the modified programme.
“This is because it is well known that the original programme, and now even the new programme, is heavily biased towards LGBTQ, whereas an equality programme doesn’t need to be,” it said, reported the Guardian.
Fatima Shah, whose daughter attends the school, said: “We just haven’t been listened to.
“We have said we don’t want children in reception to be shown books with same sex relationships. Its confusing for them.
“But the school has said it will do exactly the same as it was doing before but with a slightly different name. How is that taking our views into account?”
