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Birmingham LGBT protest school to close early Anderton Park school to close early amid protests
(about 16 hours later)
A school at the heart of a row about LGBT relationship education will close early for half-term amid escalating protests.A school at the heart of a row about LGBT relationship education will close early for half-term amid escalating protests.
Parents have been demonstrating outside Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham for seven weeks.Parents have been demonstrating outside Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham for seven weeks.
They argue pupils are "too young" to understand LGBT relationships through storybooks.They argue pupils are "too young" to understand LGBT relationships through storybooks.
The council said the decision to close at lunchtime on Friday, instead of 14:30 BST, was "not taken lightly".The council said the decision to close at lunchtime on Friday, instead of 14:30 BST, was "not taken lightly".
Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward said demonstrations outside the school had "escalated significantly over the past week".Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward said demonstrations outside the school had "escalated significantly over the past week".
He said pupils and staff had "shown remarkable resilience in the face of increasingly unpleasant protests".He said pupils and staff had "shown remarkable resilience in the face of increasingly unpleasant protests".
Another demonstration is planned for Friday.Another demonstration is planned for Friday.
Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips tweeted she would "stand and fight" after she said the school was "forced to shut because of bullies and bigots".Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips tweeted she would "stand and fight" after she said the school was "forced to shut because of bullies and bigots".
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said it was "unacceptable that children at Anderton Park are missing out on education because of the threat of protests".Education Secretary Damian Hinds said it was "unacceptable that children at Anderton Park are missing out on education because of the threat of protests".
"I support and trust head teachers to make decisions in the interests of their pupils. It is time for these protests to stop," he said."I support and trust head teachers to make decisions in the interests of their pupils. It is time for these protests to stop," he said.
The protesters, who are largely parents of Muslim faith, say their children are confused by issues surrounding sexuality, which they also say contradict their religion.The protesters, who are largely parents of Muslim faith, say their children are confused by issues surrounding sexuality, which they also say contradict their religion.
Demonstrations against the No Outsiders programme, created by Andrew Moffat, started outside nearby Parkfield School.Demonstrations against the No Outsiders programme, created by Andrew Moffat, started outside nearby Parkfield School.
Although Anderton Park does not teach No Outsiders, parents argue the school's teachings are "the same".Although Anderton Park does not teach No Outsiders, parents argue the school's teachings are "the same".
On Wednesday, Anderton Park head teacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson tweeted a note from pupils saying the protests were making them "unhappy".On Wednesday, Anderton Park head teacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson tweeted a note from pupils saying the protests were making them "unhappy".
She said, on the whole, children were "fed up" and some were "scared".She said, on the whole, children were "fed up" and some were "scared".
Lead protester Shakeel Afsar, who does not have children at the school, accused Ms Hewitt-Clarkson - who said she had been threatened repeatedly - of "using innocent children" in response to the note.Lead protester Shakeel Afsar, who does not have children at the school, accused Ms Hewitt-Clarkson - who said she had been threatened repeatedly - of "using innocent children" in response to the note.
He confirmed Friday's protest will go ahead as planned regardless of the lunchtime closure.He confirmed Friday's protest will go ahead as planned regardless of the lunchtime closure.
The council added it was working with police to support the community when school resumes after half-term.The council added it was working with police to support the community when school resumes after half-term.
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