Ofsted has said that LGBT lessons at a Birmingham primary school which Muslim parents have been protesting against are “age-appropriate”.
Peaceful protests have been taking place outside Parkfield Community School in Birmingham over the ‘No Outsiders’ curriculum.
In a report, Ofsted said there was no evidence the project disproportionately focused on LGBT values or was not taught in an age-appropriate fashion.
Head teacher David Williams said Ofsted’s findings was “great news”.
Inspectors visited Parkfield School after concerns were raised about its leadership.
The pro-LGBT curriculum was developed by assistant head teacher Andrew Moffat in 2014, with the aim of educating children to accept differences in society.
But the project has face widespread opposition from many Muslim parents because it taught children as young as five about same-sex relationships.
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Parents argued that the lessons were not appropriate for young children and have subsequently held protests since.
Senior inspector for Ofsted, Peter Humphries, said in the report: “A very small, but vocal, minority of parents are not clear about the school’s vision, policies and practice.
“This group of parents feel that staff do not sufficiently listen to their concerns.
“Their view is that PSHE education and equalities curriculum focuses disproportionately on LGBT issues and that this work is not taught in an age-appropriate manner.
“Inspectors found no evidence this was the case.”
Parents have called Ofsted’s report a “fallacy”, highlighting that if it was a “vocal minority of parents” protesting, how was it possible for 600 children to be withdrawn from the school.
It has also come to surface that the No Outsiders project contains countering-violent extremism (CVE) narratives incorporated within the curriculum.
A PDF overview of the project and power point slides seen by 5Pillars reveals that in numerous places “extremism” and “radicalisation” is mentioned as one of the objectives of the scheme.
The government watchdog recommended the outstanding-rated school “develops its engagement with parents” so they understand how curriculum content is taught.
In a letter to parents, Mr Williams said it was “great news” inspectors recognised it had maintained the “high standards of education seen at the previous inspection”.
West Midlands Police said it would be attending future meetings arranged by the school to prevent any breaches of the peace.
