Mount Pellon Primary Academy in Halifax has apologised to parents following a row over school students being told to remove pro-Palestine T-shirts and hooded tops during a recent non-uniform day.
Recently a video circulated online showing a young Mount Pellon student of Palestinian origin claiming he was told to remove his top which read “I’m from Palestine and I’m proud of it.”
The boy cried during the recorded exchange between himself and a local Muslim charity worker in which he explained how events unfolded on the non-uniform day.
The young student said: “I was supposed to have a fun time that day but instead of having a fun time, I felt upset and I didn’t feel safe.”
Subsequently, a spokesperson for Northern Education Trust, which Mount Pellon Primary Academy is part of, issued a statement to the press saying: “As a trust, we apologise for the hurt that some parents and children have felt over the last few weeks. This never was and never would be our intention.
“We recognise that this is a very upsetting time for many families and our intention throughout this whole period has been to try and maintain a settled environment in school where children can concentrate on their learning… We very much want to have positive relationships with parents and have today had a number of discussions with some parents and representatives from the local community to suggest ways in which the school and parents can work together more positively in the future.”
The non-uniform day was being held in “aid of causes helping people in both Palestine and Israel.”
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Following the apology, several parents who raised complaints have responded.
Mrs Kausar, a parent who played a leading role in complaining about the schools conduct said: “I was deeply saddened to learn about what had occurred on a non-uniform day where the children were supposed to raise funds for Gaza. I acknowledge the apology from the Trust and the School however this was after videos were circulated on social media of a Palestinian child at the school and after parent demanded an apology. I hope going forward the school will assist and support parents, children and the members of the community. I hope the process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, is received and understood with clarity and purpose.”
Another parent explained to 5Pillars an alleged exchange they had over the phone with the principal after the school decided to inform student parents of the day’s events.
“I got a call from the principal on non-uniform day to tell me that they told my son to remove his Palestinian hoody. I said, it just says Palestine. I was told the school doesn’t take sides. I said, we are raising money for Gaza.
“These are the colours of Gaza. They then put my son on the phone so I could tell him to remove his hoody because he was telling the teachers he didn’t want to (remove it) and he was upset.
“He begged me not to make him take his hoody off. The teacher said he would be excluded if he didn’t, so I gave in and made my son remove his hoody.”
The negative experience forced parents to turn to CAGE International, a London-based Muslim advocacy organisation, for advice. CAGE assisted in writing up an official complaint letter to the school and providing practical support to the families.
Mr Yaser Mohammed from Unique Children’s Charity, who was filmed alongside the upset Palestinian student in the viral video, told 5Pillars how the school’s apology following the complaints was a step in the right direction.
“I’m pleased that the school have acknowledged the tensions caused within the community and are working with the parents to form a PTA where they’re also looking to hold a fundraiser for those affected in Gaza. We’re glad this is a step in the right direction and look forward to working with the school to improve relationships and create an atmosphere where children are able to express themselves and use their voices to stand for Palestine.”
The row in Halifax is not the first time a UK school has been accused of trying to silence student solidarity with the plight of Palestinians.
In 2021, CAGE released a case analysis which showed how schools have taken a harsh approach to displays of solidarity with Palestine by students and teachers alike.
While, in the same year, shocking audio emerged of a teacher at Oulder Hill Community School in Rochdale shouting at a Muslim pupil and accusing him of racism for supporting Palestine at school.
