Protests after school scraps Easter celebration to ‘respect diverse beliefs'
A headteacher has been criticised for scrapping a primary school's Easter parade and church service.
Some 50 Christian demonstrators gathered outside Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hampshire, on Friday.
They argued with parents over the 'erasure of Christianity' while holding a banner reading 'Headteacher Stephanie Mander wants to cancel Easter - let's cancel her!'
Ms Mander had sent a letter to parents and carers informing them the Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Service had been cancelled this year.
At the time of the original announcement, the school's headteacher said: 'By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honours and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families.'
No religious affiliation
Norwood Primary School is a mixed primary school for pupils aged between 3 and 11, and it has no religious affiliation.
The school has since clarified Easter will be celebrated but children will learn about the religious event in lessons and do themed craft activities instead.
The group of Christian protesters, from the Living Word Church in Fareham, Hants, held England flags with the words 'Jesus: the way the truth the life' and 'Jesus is kin' printed on them.
Several protesters wore headbands with bunny ears on them.
Reverend Chris Wickland said the protest was against the school cancelling the Easter service and what he called the exclusion of Christianity in schools.
'Christianity is being put to the side'
He added that the group was 'not [there] to cause trouble'.
Some 10 parents took up positions in front of the school gates in a counter-protest.
Nick Tenconi, the leader of UKIP, attended the Christians' protest as a member of the Disciples of Christ - a protestant denomination popular in the United States.
He said: 'We are saying that Christianity is being put to the side so that head teachers can tick a diversity box to receive more money.'
Mr Tenconi read Miss Mander's letter to parents out on a PA system.
Whenever the head's name was mentioned, the parents cheered 'We love her'.
'Shambolic'
The protest follows online backlash against the decision, which critics branded 'disgraceful' and 'shambolic'.
Parent counter-protester Iqra, who didn't give her surname, said 'None of those people have children at this school'.
She added: 'I am just so upset that the children are being taught hate. It is so unnecessary.'
A member of the Christian protest, which set up a table with Easter eggs and a 'Happy Easter' banner, handed several chocolate eggs in baskets to the parents at the counter-protest.
In her original letter, Miss Mander said she 'understood the change may be disappointing for some, especially those who have cherished these traditions over the years'.
She added: 'However, we believe that this decision aligns with our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity.
'We are exploring alternative ways to celebrate the season in future years, that will be inclusive of all children and reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community.'
'Traditional celebration'
One of the Christian protestors, grandmother Marie Pigney from Titchfield, said: 'When I was in school Christianity was very much a part of it. I and many others believe that a foundation in Christianity is really good for children and society. Christians are fed up of being pushed out and being called names.'
Another Christian protester Rob Owen said: 'We are here to maintain that this [Easter] is part of our culture and traditions and needs to be maintained.
'We are here to support Christianity and its traditional celebration.'
One parent who did not want to be named said: 'At the end of the day they are still celebrating Easter.
'Miss Mander is an amazing person, she has brought this school out of the gutter.
'Parents have different views, but as a Christian, if they think it's better to celebrate Easter in the school then so be it.'
He added that part of the reason the school decided to scrap the bonnet parade is that low-income households couldn't afford to make one. He said families have been given many forums with the school to voice their concerns.
'No arrests made'
The Christian protesters said a prayer and packed up before the end of the school day, at around 3.15pm.
A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: 'Officers from our local neighbourhood policing team and protest liaison team were present this afternoon.
'We worked closely with the organisers to ensure any disruption to local residents and the school was kept to a minimum.
'No offences were committed and no arrests made.'
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