Teachers at a Catholic school have gone on strike over the cancellation of a talk by a children’s book author whose books contain gay characters.
The governors of the John Fisher School in Purley, Croydon, south London, voted not to cancel Simon James Green’s visit, contrary to the advice of the Archdiocese of Southwark.
Two governors then resigned and the archdiocese fired the rest.
The school, which is closed due to staff shortages, has not yet commented.
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) began industrial action Thursday morning with about 40 people outside the school gates.
Daniel Kebede, NEU national president, said the decision to take industrial action was an “absolute last resort”.
He said: “Staff and students are absolutely disappointed with what has happened. Banning a gay author from attending a book recital at school sends a truly horrible message to the young people of this school and especially those who may be gay or lesbian.
“I want everyone to think about how these particular kids are feeling right now.”
Mr Green’s talk was scheduled to take place on March 3 at a World Book Day event.
In a letter to Headmaster Philip McCullagh on April 25, Ofsted Inspector Sarah Murphy expressed concern that the events had “unnerved and upset many in the school community”.
She said the “visit was a planned part of the curriculum offering,” but the “Archdiocese felt this visit was outside the scope of what is permissible in a Catholic school and recommended that leaders cancel it.”
But she continued, “The governing body voted in favor of leaders’ decision not to cancel the author’s visit.”
She said the governors who resigned and were fired included “elect parent and staff governors, as well as the governor of local authorities.”
“Some leaders, staff and students are upset, confused and frustrated,” she wrote. “Others are concerned about the impression these events may leave on the school’s ethos.”
Simon Hughes, the diocese’s school commissioner, had recommended that school principals cancel the book signing.
In a March 3 statement, Dr. Hughes: “From time to time materials or events come up for examination that are outside the scope of what is permissible in a Catholic school.
“In such circumstances we have no choice but to reaffirm and act in accordance with our clear and well-known theological and moral principles.”
The Diocese of Southwark is yet to comment.
At the crime scene: Jamie Moreland, BBC London
As staff protested outside the school gates, armed with Pride placards and fueled by chocolate brownies sent by author Simon James Green, the teachers told me of their “shock, horror and confusion” at the decision to cancel his visit.
“While it may not have been the intent of the diocese’s decision, we believe the result of their actions has created a discriminatory atmosphere at the school where LGBT staff and students do not feel welcome,” said one staffer.
“And as a school that really values inclusion, we can’t let that stand.”
A recent Ofsted report commended the school for its values of respect and dignity for all.
“We have built an LGBT community, a safe space for these students and staff at our school,” the staffer said.
“The unity of the staff on this issue also proves that the community is strong.”
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