Primary school cancels Easter service over ‘inclusivity’ drive

A Hampshire primary school has cancelled its annual Easter events in order to be more ‘inclusive’.

The headteacher of Norwood Primary School, Stephanie Mander, told parents that it will no longer hold an Easter Bonnet Parade or Easter Service out of “respect for diversity”. But she claimed that the school will be ‘celebrating inclusivity’ by participating in Refugee Week.

The move has sparked widespread outrage and been criticised as “cultural surrender”.

‘Alternative celebrations’

The letter stated: “By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honours and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families.”

“We understand that this change may be disappointing for some, especially those who have cherished these traditions over the years. However, we believe that this decision aligns with our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity.”

Mander added: “We are exploring alternative ways to celebrate the season in future years, that will be inclusive of all children and reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community.”

‘Cultural surrender’

Responding to the news on social media, one person in a local Facebook group commented: “I don’t get it personally. It’s an experience that’s in walking distance of the school. Parents have always been given the option to not attend.”

Another person on X told her followers that she had written to the headteacher, asking: “Are you planning to cancel Christmas too?”

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman KC MP joined the furore, stating: “This isn’t inclusivity; it’s cultural surrender. Britain’s Christian roots are being erased by spineless leaders who’d rather appease than preserve”.

Easter story

This comes amid wider debate over the role of religious observance in schools. In February, Peers criticised BaronessBurt of Solihull’s Education (Assemblies) Bill for attempting to scrap Christian assemblies in non-faith schools.

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford said: “I am concerned that, if the Bill is passed in its current form, one consequence may be to make anything more than a wholly secular assembly illegal and contested in our schools. Most children would not know about the Christmas or Easter stories, nor have the opportunity to learn about other faiths, if it were not for collective worship.”

Lord Weir of Ballyholme commented: “It is the case that this is a form of overreaching. It does not simply remove the requirement for an assembly with a religious character to it; it actually bans the school from holding any ‘acts of worship or… religious observance’.”

It is expected that a similar amendment will be proposed for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently progressing through the House of Lords.