A ban has been placed on protests outside Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham.
The school found itself at the centre of national debate when parents began protesting against No Outsiders, a programme of lessons designed to teach children about diverse groups including those of different races, gender identities and sexualities.
Following an interim ban that had previously been put in place, a High Court judge ruled on Tuesday (26 November) that the ban on demonstrations, which includes an exclusion zone surrounding the school, should be made permanent.
Mr Justice Warby said protesters had ‘misrepresented’ what was being taught at the school, and agued their actions had negatively affected children, teachers and local residents.
Many of the parents protesting outside of Anderton Park school were of Muslim faith, and argued that the LGBTQ-inclusive lessons contradict their religious beliefs.
Protestors held signs reading “let kids be kids” and there had also been false claims that the school had a “peadophile agenda” and that staff were “teaching children how to masturbate”, according to BBC News.
Related: Anti-gay hate crimes in Birmingham double amid protests over LGBTQ lessons
Headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson told Sky News earlier this year that she believes the protests are “homophobic” and revealed that some members of staff had to receive counselling as a result of the backlash.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We’ve long said we want to end these protests and encourage positive dialogue, so we welcome the high court’s decision today.
“We continue to work with the school and parents to encourage positive and constructive engagement.”
