UK Christian School Shut Down for Having ‘Discriminatory Views’ Toward Other Faiths

ICC Note: In the United Kingdom, the Christian Durham Free School is facing closure after a visit from the Office for Standards in Education. During the visit, investigators randomly quizzed students, as young as 6 years old, on questions ranging from Islam to homosexuality. When some of the children were unable to answer the questions correctly, OFSTED declared that the school held “discriminatory views of other people who have different faiths, values or beliefs from themselves.” Funding was cut from the school and is expected to close its doors in the near future.

By Heather Clark

01/26/2015 United Kingdom (Christian News Network) – A Christian school in the UK is being shut down and another under scrutiny after investigators quizzed random students and found them to have “discriminatory views” toward others.

According to reports, last November, members of the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) visited Durham Free School for an inspection, and declared the educational institution to be substandard.

“Leaders are failing to prepare students for life in modern Britain,” said lead inspector Joan Hewitt. “Some students hold discriminatory views of other people who have different faiths, values or beliefs from themselves.”

One of the inspectors had reportedly asked one 12-year-old boy what a Muslim is, and the child responded by making references to terrorist activity. OFSTED saw this as being problematic.

As a result of the findings, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan announced that she was cutting funding to the school, which is now expected to shut down.

Grindon Hall Christian School had also been visited by OFSTED, and in addition to questioning children about their knowledge of other religions, investigators quizzed the youth about sexuality. Based on the children’s answers, the school was labeled as being intolerant and placed under further scrutiny.

“Several parents complained to me about what they saw as intrusive and deeply personal questioning of their children in the group sessions,” wrote Principal Chris Gray in a complaint to the organization. “It has been reported back to me that children aged 6- 9 were asked whether they knew anything about Diwali and whether they were familiar with the Torah.”

“In addition, I have also heard reports of primary school children being asked if they knew of any boys or girls who thought they were in the ‘wrong body,’” he continued. “Another parent has complained to me in writing that her ten year old daughter was asked if she knew what lesbians did. Pupils were embarrassed and surprised to be asked questions about sexuality.”

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