‘Two more suspended’ over school Prophet row
BATLEY Grammar School has suspended two more members of staff as it continues to investigate the use of a derogatory cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad, reports suggest.
Protesters descended on the school gates last week after it emerged pupils had been shown the offensive material – believed to have been taken from the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo – during a religious studies (RS) lesson on blasphemy.
Headteacher Gary Kibble was quick to condemn its use and ‘apologised unequivocally’ on behalf of the school last week. Mr Kibble added the teacher accused of showing the cartoon had been suspended pending a formal investigation.
And Mail Online is now reporting that two more employees were suspended on the same day after a pupil complained to their parents.
Talk of the additional suspensions has been circulating on social media since Monday but the school is yet to officially confirm the news.
The Examiner approached Batley Grammar School for comment several days ago.
According to Mail Online, one ‘school source’ said: “Two other teachers are also being investigated but the school has been trying to keep it secret because they don’t want attention being drawn to the fact that this went beyond the actions of one person.”
They went on to add that the members of staff were not in the classroom at the time but ‘were aware that offensive material was going to be used.’
An independent investigation is set to begin on April 12. An outcome is expected towards the end of May.
The RS teacher at the centre of the row has reportedly gone into hiding with his family amid fears they ‘could be killed’ if they return to Batley.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Batley Grammar School said: “We believe the right way forward is for an independent investigation to review the context in which the materials (which caused offence) were used.”
A petition calling for the RS teacher to be reinstated has now passed 69,000 signatures.