The angry protests in Birmingham against schools teaching equal rights are concerning. Paul Whiteman reminds us that every school has a duty to eliminate discrimination

I have thought very carefully about what the NAHT should say about the protests we have seen outside some schools recently.

The protests began in Birmingham against schools delivering lessons on diversity and equality and on issues such as homophobia and LGBT rights.

In the small number of schools, teachers have been threatened with physical harm and some children have been left scared to visit school.

Schools should be a place of safety and calm and everyone in the community has a duty to create and preserve that atmosphere. Protests do nothing to help schools achieve their public duty or create the conditions children need to learn. The protests are irresponsible and should stop.

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