Claims have emerged that images of the Charlie Hebdo cartoons were recently shown during a class at Batley Grammar School, Yorkshire. It is reported that a member of staff has been suspended in relation to the incident.
A message shared over social media has encouraged protests at the school in response to the allegations.
Note: the original version of this message included the teachers name—this has been removed in the version reproduced here:
*URGENT*
*Protest outside Batley Grammar School @ 07:30 – TOMORROW (Thursday 25 March)*
A teacher (** * ********) deliberately showed derogatory caricatures (French Cartoons) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and told the students that it was his right to show this!
He failed to apologise or accept any wrong doing when challenged by parents.
It is imperative that *ALL OF US* turn up to demand the resignation of this teacher as an absolute minimum and fulfil our duty of defending the honour of RasoolAllah ﷺ.
*LOCATION:* Carlinghow Hill, Upper Batley, WF17 0AD
*TIME:* 7:30AM TOMORROW (Thursday 25th)
*ATTEND IN YOUR VEHICLES WHERE POSISBLE*
A statement circulating online reported to be from Batley Grammar School said the following:
“The school would like to thank the parents who contacted us on Monday 22 March highlighting concerns with a resource used in an RS lesson that day.”
“Upon investigation, it was clear that the resource used in the lesson was completely inappropriate and had the capacity to cause great offence to members of our school community, for which we would like to offer a sincere and full apology”
“As such, we have taken immediate action to investigate the matter further, this has included: the removal of the resource from the materials the suspension of that lesson content from the scheme of work as an additional precaution, we will undertake a formal review of the RS curriculum to ensure no other resource or statement is inappropriate and take appropriate action as needed.”
“The school is investigating the matter using formal processes and we are grateful for the support of the Local Authority.
Mr G Kibble Headteacher
Photo Credit: Oxana Maher / Batley Grammar School /