Union flag is ‘potentially sectarian', teacher tells parents

Telegraph

7 hours ago

A primary headteacher in Scotland has apologised after suggesting the Union flag is 'potentially offensive or sectarian' in a letter to parents.
A group of P7 pupils and their parents brought two Union flags to the school in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, for a special event.
But Dr Fiona MacDonald, Cross Arthurlie primary school's headteacher, said that the use of the flags in conjunction with images of staff had 'caused some upset at the beginning of the evening'.
In a letter to the pupils' families, she said the school's commitment to 'inclusion' meant that it was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'.
She expressed concern that the 'others within or beyond the school community may consider that is something we would encourage'.
Dr MacDonald also said she had spoken to the children, explaining why using the Union flag 'wasn't a good idea' and why their actions had been 'contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'.
However, the letter caused outrage when it was published on social media, prompting the headteacher and East Renfrewshire council to apologise. The council is run by a minority Labour administration.
Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory leader, said: 'East Renfrewshire council's apology for this daft letter is welcome, but further conversations should take place to establish why such material was deemed acceptable in the first place.
'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies.
'After 18 years of the SNP trashing Scotland's once world-leading schools, you might think they'd be focused on improving educational standards.'
Jackson Carlaw, the MSP for Eastwood in Renfrewshire and a former Scottish Tory leader, tweeted that he was 'angry and concerned' by Dr MacDonald's letter.
He said: 'Let me be clear – to equate the Union flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland.'
Mr Carlaw added: 'Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.'
Dr MacDonald wrote to the parents last Thursday following a 'P7 leavers' event for children moving from primary to secondary school and their families.
She said she had spoken that morning to the pupils about why they should not have used the Union flag at the event, explaining the 'symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people.'
The headteacher said she hoped this 'helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations'.
An East Renfrewshire council spokesman said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologise for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community.
'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'