Following the news that Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham will close early for half-term, please see the Education Secretary Damian Hinds’ response.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:
It is unacceptable that children at Anderton Park are missing out on education because of the threat of protests. There is no place for protests outside school gates. They can frighten children, intimidate staff and parents and in the worst cases be hijacked by individuals with a vested interest and no links to the schools. It is time for these protests to stop.
Working on the ground alongside West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, the school and members of the local community, officials from my department are monitoring this situation closely while taking steps to encourage further talks and dialogue between the school and a number of parents.
I support and trust head teachers to make decisions in the interests of their pupils and it’s unacceptable that this school finds itself in a position where it feels it has no choice but to close early for the last day of half term.
Follow us on Twitter and don't forget to sign up for email alerts.