Parents who have been protesting school for its LGBT inclusive education agree to hold ‘crisis talks’ Parents have been demonstrating against an Ofsted-approved class on equality outside of the school for months

Parents have suspended their protest against LBGTQ+ lessons being taught at primary school while talks take place with the school.

Religious parents of children at Parkfield Community School, Birmingham, have been demonstrating against the Ofsted-approved relationship lessons, which teach pupils about the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens in line with the Equality Act 2010.

The classes, which were introduced by assistant headteacher Andrew Moffatt, have been boycotted by a group of predominently Muslim parents who believe the contents of the programme do not respect their beliefs.

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Around 500 pupils were taken out of the school by parents during a protest last month, while several demonstrations, including placards and speakers, have occurred at the school gates.

Crisis talks

Parkfield Parents Community Group announced on Friday, however, that it would be ceasing protests while a consultation takes place.

“Parkfield Parents Community Group has engaged the mediation and consultation to resolve the issues concerning the No Outsiders programme in Parkfield School with the school’s trust, facilitated by the Department for Education,” a statement posted online read.

“During the mediation and consultation process, parents will cease to hold any protests in relation to the No Outsiders programme.

“Parkfield Parents Community Group will not make any further official statement for the duration of the consultation, or mediation, on No Outsiders programme.

“Parkfield Parents Community Group is independent of any other group or person who may speak about No Outsiders in a personal capacity.”

The school had previously agreed to stop teaching the No Outsiders programme while the dispute continues.

“Until a resolution has been reached, No Outsiders lessons will not be taught at Parkfield and we hope that children will not be removed from school to take part in protests,” a school spokesperson said.

‘Morally acceptable’

Several media commentators and politicians have branded the protests homophobic.

Amir Ahmed, 54, a parent at the school and an IT consultant who has spoken at previous protests, said that parents have not yet agreed on what they want from the curriculum.

He denied, however, say that the demonstrations were homophobic, though many have argued that they believe homosexuality to be ‘wrong’.

“We have ceased protests to respect the consultations,” he said.

“The consultations are on the basis that No Outsiders will be abolished and a new programme will be introduced, implementing the Equality Act.

“We want to be able to preserve our moral values. I don’t think the children should be taught it’s morally acceptable to have a same-sex relationship.

“The children saw a video of two men kissing, and one came home and said ‘can I marry my best friend? This is not the way you teach equality.

“That is totally contrary to our moral values. It is promoting an LGBT way of life. We don’t want children to be taught that it’s fine to be LGBT.”

On the possibility of there being children at the school who may already know they are homosexual, Mr Ahmed said: “How would a child know they are gay at that age?“The children probably love boys and girls equally.

“Making that distinction at that age is not necessary. It’s intolerant of our values. We are very tolerant and respectful.

“Homosexuality is only understood by adults and mature individuals. There shouldn’t be sexualisation of young children.

“The LGBT community have been intolerant of our values, when they call us homophobic.”