Latest news with #FionaMacDonald
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Primary school in 'sectarian' Union Jack row after headteacher suggests flag is 'potentially offensive'
A primary school headteacher has been forced to apologise after a letter to parents suggested the Union Flag could be 'sectarian'. Cross Arthurlie Primary School, in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, found itself at the centre of an extraordinary row yesterday after its headteacher sent parents a letter which appeared to insinuate the Union Flag was 'potentially offensive'. In a note, Fiona MacDonald told her Primary Seven pupils parents that the 'use of the union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and that the school was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'. The letter caused uproar as MSPs hit out at the school letter, with East Renfrewshire Council and the headteacher apologising for 'any offence and upset that has been caused'. Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, branded the letter 'daft' and 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.' Meanwhile, Scots Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw said he was 'both angry and concerned' the official letter 'suggested the use of the Union flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'.' The Eastwood MSP 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. 'Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' The row, which now overshadows the end of term, was ignited by Mrs MacDonald's letter sent on June 12. Writing to P7 families, she thanked them for going to a leavers' event the night before and said the 'children looked fantastic and had a great time'. But the letter goes on: 'Unfortunately, the use of the Union Flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. 'As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I have spoken with the children about it this morning explaining why it wasn't a good idea: Using images without permission; the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people; their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' The local authority yesterday issued a statement insisting: '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.'
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots primary school head under fire after branding Union flag 'offensive or sectarian'
The letter which leaked on social media showed the head raising concerns about the UK's national flag being displayed at an event for parents and guardians. A major row has erupted at a Scots primary school after its headteacher branded the Union flag"potentially offensive or sectarian" i n a letter to parents. The letter which leaked on social media showed the head raising concerns about the UK's national flag being displayed at an event for parents and guardians. As the Scottish Daily Express reports, the incident unfolded at Cross Arthurlie Primary School in East Renfrewshire with the correspondence signed by the headteacher Fiona MacDonald. The official school communication has now gone viral sparking a response from Scots Tory politicians who branded the letter"daft". The criticism has forced council chiefs into an apology over the letter, with education bosses sorry for any "offence and upset" that has been caused. In the letter, the head told families of P7 leavers that the use of a Union flag in images may have been a "mistake." Writing. "Thank you for coming along last night to make the P7 leavers a special event in the life of the school. The children looked fantastic and had a great time. 'Unfortunately the use of the Union flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the letter is genuine. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Former Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, who represents Eastwood in East Renfrewshire, blasted the comments as "deeply offensive." 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. '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 East Renfrewshire spokesperson 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.'
Sky News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Council apologises after headteacher's letter to parents 'implied Union Flag was potentially offensive or sectarian'
A council has apologised for any "upset" caused over a letter sent to parents by a headteacher which implied the Union Flag could be seen as "potentially offensive or sectarian". Fiona MacDonald, head of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, raised concerns following a P7 leavers' event last week which was attended by parents and carers. In her letter, Ms MacDonald said the use of a Union Flag featuring staff images "caused some upset at the beginning of the evening". She added: "As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage." The headteacher said she had spoken to the children to explain "why it wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission. She also explained "the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people" and how the youngsters' actions were "contrary to the school values of respect and kindness". Ms MacDonald then signed off: "I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations." East Renfrewshire Council later apologised and said it was "not the school's intention to imply the Union Flag is sectarian". The leader of the Scottish Conservatives had earlier called for the local authority to apologise for the "daft letter". MSP Russell Findlay said: "For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing." Former party leader and colleague Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, also voiced his anger at the letter. Posting on X, 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." Demanding an apology, he 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." In a statement, East Renfrewshire Council said: "It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the headteacher 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.
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Council apologises after primary school union flag row
A council has apologised after a primary school wrote to parents saying the appearance of union flags at a leavers' event could have been seen as "offensive or sectarian".The head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead said flags featuring pictures of staff, which had been brought to the event by primary 7 pupils, "caused some upset".Senior Scottish Conservatives criticised the letter on social media and demanded an apology. East Renfrewshire Council later said it was not the "school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian". Head teacher Fiona MacDonald wrote to parents after the leavers' event on letter said "the use of the union flag with staff images on had caused considerable upset at the beginning of the night".It added the school worked against "potentially offensive or sectarian messaging".Ms MacDonald said: "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that is something we would encourage." The headteacher explained she had spoken to the children to "explain why it wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission and to explain "the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people". Conservative politicians from East Renfrewshire, including former Scottish party leader Jackson Carlaw, had demanded an apology for the implication in the letter that the union flag itself was Conservative leader Russell Findlay posted: "Our country's flag is not 'offensive or sectarian'."A council spokesperson 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."
Scotsman
a day ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
'Deeply offensive': Scottish council told to apologise after school suggests Union flag is 'sectarian'
Jackson Carlaw MSP says the council should apologise immediately for the letter. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A veteran Scottish Conservative MSP has hit out at a school in East Renfrewshire for suggesting the Union flag is 'sectarian'. A letter was sent home to primary seven parents at Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead after the use of the flag was said to have caused 'upset' at a recent event for school leavers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jackson Carlaw MSP said the council must apologise for the letter, branding it 'totally unacceptable and deeply offensive'. The letter from head teacher Fiona MacDonald said: 'Unfortunately the use of the Union flag with some staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. The union flag is said to have caused 'upset' at a school event. | David Barley/Adobe Stock 'As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I have spoken with the children about it this morning explaining why it wasn't a good idea [including] 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. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' Mr Carlaw said he had since spoken to officials at East Renfrewshire Council and was demanding an urgent apology. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Eastwood MSP 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.'
