This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7880690.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Muslim assembly row head resigns | Muslim assembly row head resigns |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Sheffield head teacher has resigned after parents complained about her plans to scrap separate assemblies for Muslim pupils. | A Sheffield head teacher has resigned after parents complained about her plans to scrap separate assemblies for Muslim pupils. |
| Julia Robinson had wanted to hold one assembly for pupils of all faiths at Meersbrook Bank Primary School. | Julia Robinson had wanted to hold one assembly for pupils of all faiths at Meersbrook Bank Primary School. |
| Her replacement said the school did now hold one "daily act of worship in keeping with legal requirements". | Her replacement said the school did now hold one "daily act of worship in keeping with legal requirements". |
| Sheffield City Council claimed Mrs Robinson resigned for "personal reasons" not connected to the row. | Sheffield City Council claimed Mrs Robinson resigned for "personal reasons" not connected to the row. |
| Council leader Paul Scriven explained that the school had acted with the "best interests of all its pupils in mind". | Council leader Paul Scriven explained that the school had acted with the "best interests of all its pupils in mind". |
| 'Strong relationships' | 'Strong relationships' |
| He told BBC News: "The head teacher has not been forced to step down. | He told BBC News: "The head teacher has not been forced to step down. |
| "The head teacher resigned for personal issues and she's made it very clear it's not related to this particular incident. | "The head teacher resigned for personal issues and she's made it very clear it's not related to this particular incident. |
| "And I think it's time for us now to concentrate on dealing with the issue at hand and let the school and the parents come together so that the children in that school can deal with the issue and get the best possible education for them in the future." | "And I think it's time for us now to concentrate on dealing with the issue at hand and let the school and the parents come together so that the children in that school can deal with the issue and get the best possible education for them in the future." |
| Mr Scriven said the school was working closely with parents to "foster strong relationships". We recognise that pupils have different needs Pamela Smith, new head teacher | Mr Scriven said the school was working closely with parents to "foster strong relationships". We recognise that pupils have different needs Pamela Smith, new head teacher |
| He said: "The school acted with the best interests of all its pupils in mind but it is clear that this has caused misunderstanding and anxiety for some parents." | |
| The school's new head teacher, Pamela Smith said: "Meersbrook Bank is a school that has pupils from a range of faiths and backgrounds. | The school's new head teacher, Pamela Smith said: "Meersbrook Bank is a school that has pupils from a range of faiths and backgrounds. |
| "We recognise that pupils have different needs and we, along with our local community, endeavour to reflect this in our assembly provision. | "We recognise that pupils have different needs and we, along with our local community, endeavour to reflect this in our assembly provision. |
| "The school has done a lot of hard work to develop good community relations and we are committed to reviewing how we can meet all pupils' needs within school by working with parents and governors as well as the young people themselves." | "The school has done a lot of hard work to develop good community relations and we are committed to reviewing how we can meet all pupils' needs within school by working with parents and governors as well as the young people themselves." |
| One parent, speaking anonymously, said: "As a black person I can say there is no racism in this school. | |
| "Bringing everyone together is a good thing. I can't understand why people are getting upset. I'm sure she would get 100% support in this community." | |
| Parental rights | Parental rights |
| The legal requirements for schools to hold a "daily act of worship" vary around the UK. | The legal requirements for schools to hold a "daily act of worship" vary around the UK. |
| In an English community school like Meersbrook, the requirement is for "a single act of worship for all pupils or separate acts of worship for pupils in different age groups or in different school groups" - meaning the sort of groups in which they are normally taught, not religious groups. | In an English community school like Meersbrook, the requirement is for "a single act of worship for all pupils or separate acts of worship for pupils in different age groups or in different school groups" - meaning the sort of groups in which they are normally taught, not religious groups. |
| Most acts of worship have to be "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character" though others can reflect pupils' family backgrounds. | Most acts of worship have to be "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character" though others can reflect pupils' family backgrounds. |
| This basic requirement was established in the 1944 Education Act and has been re-enacted in more recent legislation relating to schools. | This basic requirement was established in the 1944 Education Act and has been re-enacted in more recent legislation relating to schools. |
| Parents have the right to withdraw their children from collective worship. | Parents have the right to withdraw their children from collective worship. |
| The statutory requirement can be lifted by a legal decision, known as a determination, by the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education. | The statutory requirement can be lifted by a legal decision, known as a determination, by the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education. |
| The Muslim Council of Britain proposes that in schools where most of the pupils have an Islamic faith background, the school should seek the power to implement more appropriate arrangements. | The Muslim Council of Britain proposes that in schools where most of the pupils have an Islamic faith background, the school should seek the power to implement more appropriate arrangements. |
| Part determinations can allow for Muslim, Christian and Sikh pupils to have separate acts of collective worship. | Part determinations can allow for Muslim, Christian and Sikh pupils to have separate acts of collective worship. |