Latest news with #CrossArthurliePrimarySchool
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Council speaks out over Barrhead school's union flag letter
The letter, sent out by the head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, detailed that the use of a 'union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and later states that the children have been spoken to about the incident. Councillors and MSPs in the area have criticised the letter, saying, "Questions will be asked." Now, the council has spoken out over the incident after confirming that the letter was genuine. A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises 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.' Council speaks out over Barrhead school's union flag letter (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Politicians hit out over primary school's 'outrageous' union flag letter READ MORE: Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan urging rethink as city 'deserves much better' READ MORE: Inside the life of rare bird family nesting in Glasgow University tower Earlier today, Councillor Andrew Morrison spoke with the Glasgow Times. He said: "Many of you have expressed alarm regarding this communication, which has been doing the rounds. "Regrettably, it is a genuine letter - its content is so outrageous you could be forgiven for thinking it's a spoof. "This is the flag of our country, and it is a flag the Council flies itself officially to mark ceremonies during the year, not as often as I'd like personally. "If school isn't a place to learn the meaning of Union flag, then where is? "Being British is core to our nationhood. That is a simple fact. It must not be airbrushed out in this manner. "Questions will be asked." Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay took to social media to share his anger, he posted: "This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. "Our country's flag is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'." This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. 👇 Our country's flag 🇬🇧 is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'. — Russell Findlay MSP (@RussellFindlay1) June 16, 2025 The letter states that the children involved were spoken to about 'using images without permission', 'the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people', and 'their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. MSP for Eastwood and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives has also hit out, he said: "I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". "Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. "Having spoken with a senior official at East Renfrewshire Council this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution and retraction. "As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. "Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many." I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with… — Jackson Carlaw (@Jackson_Carlaw) June 16, 2025 The Glasgow Times understands that details of the flag, its design or what it looked like have not been shared.
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Politicians hit out over Barrhead school's union flag letter
East Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that the letter, which was sent out by the head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, is genuine. The letter details that the use of a 'union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and later states that the children have been spoken to about the incident. Councillors and MSPs in the area have now criticised the letter, saying, "Questions will be asked." Councillor Andrew Morrison spoke with the Glasgow Times. He said: "Many of you have expressed alarm regarding this communication, which has been doing the rounds. "Regrettably, it is a genuine letter - its content is so outrageous you could be forgiven for thinking it's a spoof. "This is the flag of our country, and it is a flag the Council flies itself officially to mark ceremonies during the year, not as often as I'd like personally. "If school isn't a place to learn the meaning of Union flag, then where is? "Being British is core to our nationhood. That is a simple fact. It must not be airbrushed out in this manner. "Questions will be asked." READ MORE: Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan urging rethink as city 'deserves much better' READ MORE:Inside the life of rare bird family nesting in Glasgow University tower READ MORE:Mack rebuild 'at risk' from 02 ABC plan says Glasgow School of Art Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay took to social media to share his anger, he posted: "This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. "Our country's flag is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'." This is what happens when the SNP's toxic nationalism infects schools and councils. 👇 Our country's flag 🇬🇧 is NOT 'offensive or sectarian'. — Russell Findlay MSP (@RussellFindlay1) June 16, 2025 The letter states that the children involved were spoken to about 'using images without permission', 'the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people', and 'their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. MSP for Eastwood and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives has also hit out, he said: "I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". "Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. "Having spoken with a senior official at East Renfrewshire Council this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution and retraction. "As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. "Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many." I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to "sectarian messaging". Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with… — Jackson Carlaw (@Jackson_Carlaw) June 16, 2025 The Glasgow Times understands that details of the flag, its design or what it looked like have not been shared. A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises 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.'
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Scots headteacher sparks outrage after suggesting union flag is ‘sectarian' in parents' letter
Politicians have blasted the letter as 'unacceptable' UNION FLACK Scots headteacher sparks outrage after suggesting union flag is 'sectarian' in parents' letter Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HEADTEACHER sparked outrage after suggesting the union flag could be viewed as 'offensive' and 'sectarian' in a letter to primary school parents. The principal of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, wrote the all-round message after an apparently 'upsetting' incident at a P7 leavers event earlier this month. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The letter sent out to parents at Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead 3 Scottish Tory leader branded it "ludicrous" Credit: Alamy 3 Jackson Carlaw MSP for Eastwood has called for a "resolution and retraction" Credit: Alamy It is understood this involved a small group of parents and pupils bringing two flags with teachers' faces superimposed onto them. In a response dated June 12 on official council-branded paper, the head detailed how 'the use of the union flag with staff images on caused some upset'. She said as a result pupils had been schooled on 'the symbolism and association of flags and symbols' following the incident. The letter goes on to state the school is 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging' and the children's 'actions were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. But politicians have blasted the letter as 'unacceptable' and called for the local authority to issue an apology. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay branded the letter 'ludicrous' and 'embarrassing'. He said: '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. 'East Renfrewshire Council should apologise for this daft letter.' MSP for Eastwood and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives also chimed in. Action For Scotland burn Union Jack flag On X he wrote: 'I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'. 'Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. "Having spoken with a senior official at '@EastRenCouncil this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution and retraction. 'As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises 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.'
