Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has raised questions about a new ‘bonkers’ policy that has been put forward by Littleton Green Community School.
Gavin was contacted by several concerned parents after they received a letter from the school, informing them that a refusal for their child to attend a religious workshop at Stafford University would result in a Racial Discrimination note being attached to their child’s educational record.
The note, they were informed, would remain on their child’s file for the remainder of their school career.
Gavin is raising this matter with the relevant authorities and hopes that this can be dealt with in a sensible and reasonable way.
On the issue, Gavin said: “It is obviously very important that young children have a broad understanding of all faiths. However, the idea of attaching a ‘racial discrimination’ note to children’s education records - saying it will remain on their file for the duration of their school career - seems unfair, particularly when it is not the child’s decision whether or not he or she attends. It seems a very heavy handed and slightly bonkers approach.”