Hundreds of protesters gathered outside a Bradford secondary school today for a demonstration they say was organised to draw attention to a member of staff facing disciplinary action by the school.
Carlton Bolling College in Undercliffe has refused to comment in detail about the circumstances, other than to say the situation is "being properly investigated and progressed through appropriate HR procedures".
But protesters say the member of staff has found himself suspended and under investigation as a result of allegations over his stance about Palestine.
Police closed the road outside the main gates of the college for about 40 minutes as the road filled with demonstrators, which included adults then some children in Carlton Bolling College uniform.
Some said pupils had been guided out of a side entrance at the college at the end of the school day, with some then moving to the front of the building where police were waiting to ensure the demonstration was peaceful.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed the demonstration had gone off peacefully and Paul Makin, assistant director education and school improvement at Bradford Council, said the local authority had worked closely with the college and police to ensure the protest was peaceful.
“Demonstrators have cited an HR issue involving an individual member of staff at the school, which is being properly investigated and progressed through the appropriate HR procedures. It would not be appropriate to comment further until that process is complete," he said.
"Any demonstrators who also say they are protesting about events in the Middle East have no reason whatsoever to have a grievance with the school.
"Carlton Bolling College, in common with all local authority schools, is entirely non-political and it is solely concerned with meeting the needs of all of its students.
"Our key priorities are the safety and the education of students. We are fully united with the head teacher in our unstinting work to ensure that parents, pupils and staff come together to make Carlton Bolling College a successful school and one the community is proud of.”
A protest was held outside the school on the same issue last week and organisers have said more will follow until the situation is resolved.
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