LGBT lessons: Birmingham council wins injunction blocking protests outside school

Birmingham City Council has won an injunction preventing protests outside Anderton Park Primary School against inclusive LGBT lessons.

The authority confirmed the success of its High Court legal bid on Friday evening.

It follows weeks of demonstrations by parents against lessons teaching primary school children about different family structures, which include same-sex relationships.

Anderton Park in particular has been the scene of daily protests, with headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson alleging she has been sent threatening messages.

Senior police officers have said the demonstrations should end.

Birmingham City Council said it made an urgent application “in the light of increasing fears for the safety and wellbeing of the staff, children and parents of the school”.

It said there had been a “serious escalation” of the protests in the week before half-term.

Councillor Ian Ward, the 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 on Monday 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.”

One prominent protester, Shakeel Afsar, who does not have children at the school but is uncle to two pupils, said after the injunction was granted: “We are not backing down.”

“Another protest is planned for next Friday,” he told Birmingham Live.

This week Esther McVey, the Tory leadership candidate, sparked fury among colleagues when she claimed parents should be able to stop their children learning about LGBT relationships in school.

“I believe parents know best for their children,” she said, but added that she did not agree with the demonstrations.

Justine Greening, the former education secretary and equalities minister, tweeted to her Conservative colleague saying: “You can’t pick and choose on human rights and equality.

“Children should understand a modern and diverse Britain they’re growing up in.”

The government has called the protests “unacceptable”. Damian Hinds, the education secretary, said earlier this month: “There is no place for protests outside school gates.

“They can frighten children, intimidate staff and parents and, in the worst cases, be hijacked by individuals with a vested interest and no links to the schools.”