Norfolk school 'politically neutral' amid anti-Reform row

The father of a Year 7 pupil at Lynn Grove Academy, in Gorleston, has accused staff there of disparaging the right-wing party and labelling children racist if they support its policies.

He made the charge after Great Yarmouth's new Reform MP Rupert Lowe said on Twitter/X that he had "gathered a list" of schools in his constituency where teachers were "pushing their own aggressive personal views about Reform on young children".

He declined to name the schools on the list but told this newspaper he had had reports of such behaviour from five schools, among them secondaries and primaries.

One is understood to be Lynn Grove, where the parent, who asked not to be named, said his son was told by a teacher that he and his friends were "being racist" during a class exercise after proposing a hypothetical policy on immigration similar to those suggested by Reform.

Rupert Lowe, after being named the MP for Great Yarmouth at the town hall on election night last week (Image: Newsquest)

The father said: "My child was told to come up with a political party and some policies.

"They suggested a policy to turn boats back around and for people who turned up in the boats to be taken back to the country they came from.

"When the teacher gave them feedback, they said this was divisive and not very welcoming and that they thought they were being racist. I was suitably unimpressed."

READ MORE: Reform MP accuses schools of indoctrination by criticising his party

The parent said during another discussion about the upcoming election in a different class, his son was told by a teacher he "did not want to hear that name" in his classroom after his child brought up Reform.

"Teachers should stick to teaching the curriculum, not imposing their views on children" he added. 

Mr Lowe claims teachers pushed personal views on school children in the Great Yarmouth constituency (Image: PA)

'POLITICALLY NEUTRAL'

The school has declined to say whether it would investigate the claims or if it would take any action against any members of staff.

A spokeswoman said: "We teach a broad and balanced curriculum. We are committed to a politically neutral environment.

"Pupils are taught to be tolerant of differing opinions and understand their views can be challenged respectfully."

Mr Lowe declined to comment further.

Mr Lowe arriving at the House of Commons in Westminster this week (Image: PA)

SCHOOL RULES

Under the Education Act 1996, schools have a legal duty to "prohibit the promotion of partisan political views".

They must also ensure steps are taken to offer a balanced presentation of opposing views on political issues.

'WITCH HUNT'

Mr Lowe's comments have sparked a backlash, including from teachers and Labour politicians.

Mike Smith-Clare, deputy leader of the Labour group at County Hall, described his intervention as an "unsubstantiated public witch hunt". Mike Smith-Clare, the deputy leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council (Image: Newsquest)

Daniel Kebede, head of the National Education Union, said: “This is a right-wing populist party cynically stoking up division to garner support."

Mr Lowe, the former chairman of Southampton Football Club, was sworn in as an MP this week.

He has been quick to stir up controversy through his posts on social media, suggesting there are 'no-go zones for local people' in Great Yarmouth as well as his claims about anti-Reform views in schools.

Reform, which won 14% of the vote share at last week’s election, stood on a platform of strong opposition to immigration, saying it wanted to reduce net migration to zero.

Several of its candidates were ousted before the election for making racist and other offensive comments. Its leader, Nigel Farage, has promised to “professionalise” the party.