Easliegh school that changed Easter events 'valued', says Bishop
A school that faced a backlash after it said it would not be holding traditional Easter events is "deeply valued" in its community, a Bishop has said.Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hampshire, said it would not be holding its Easter bonnet parade and Easter service at a local church.Some said the decision was "disgraceful", but a parent told the BBC the row was "a storm in a teacup" and the school still marked Easter with activities and events.The Bishop of Southampton, Rhiannon King, said she and other Christian leaders had contacted the school and had been invited to visit.
The school, which has no religious affiliation, said the changes were made so "all children are able to take part"."The local vicar of Eastleigh Parish Church, the minister of Eastleigh Baptist Church and I have been in touch with the head teacher and this has been warmly welcomed," Bishop Rhiannon said.
"We are encouraged by the head teacher's assurance that learning about Christian faith remains embedded firmly in the Religious Education curriculum and by her warm invitation to go in and meet some of the children in the new term – an offer we would be delighted to accept," she said."Meanwhile, we encourage everyone to enable the staff and children of Norwood Primary School to celebrate the end of term and Easter in peace."
In her initial letter to parents, head teacher Stephanie Mander said the decision had been made "in the spirit of inclusivity and respect for the diverse religious beliefs represented" in the school's community."Our school is committed to fostering an environment where every child feels valued and respected, regardless of their religious background," she said in a letter to parents.Among those critical, former home secretary and Hampshire MP Suella Braverman said it represented "cultural surrender".
You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Wales' papers: Hospital disrepair and tunnel blaze visit
Copyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Exploding vape causes major fire as blaze tears through four terraced homes
Vape users have been warned to use 'proper chargers' for their devices after a huge explosion damaged four terraced homes in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire and left three people in hospital Three people have been rushed to hospital after a vape pen dramatically exploded and tore through four terraced houses. Firefighters say three of the property have been left with "significant damage" after the blaze broke out at a home in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire at 1pm on Friday and spread through neighbouring properties. Relatives of those affected said the vape device was being charged on a bed when it started emitting smoke". One of the occupants is then said to have taken the vape pen off charge, but device exploded seconds later, starting the fire. Three people required hospital treatment after the incident, but are not believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. Cherrie Hall, who raced to the house where the fire started, said she was "absolutely devastated" by the blaze - and described the moment she arrived at the scene after recieving a worried phonecall from her ex-partner. The home belongs to the grandmother of Cherrie's children, who were treated in hospital in the aftermath. She said: "I had a phone call from my ex asking if we - me and my partner - could go check his mum's house as he had messages from people mentioning a fire at his mum's. "So of course we drove straight round and saw all the fire engines and the firemen, roofs caved in." She added: "Luckily the paramedics were already at the house for a separate thing with grandma's health when the vape exploded and set the house on fire. "She's absolutely devastated but is so in awe and amazed with the community and how much they've helped all families involved." A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the families affected by the fire. Kerry Shattell, who is running the fundraiser, said her son was next door to where the fire started - and says he is currently staying with his in-laws after his home was left uninhabitable. Despite the damage, he, his partner and his four children are "safe", she said, adding: "His dogs were taken to the vets because they had smoke inhalation. My son and his wife were not at home at the time of the fire." Helen Tooley, group manager at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, told the BBC that the fire had "gone through the roof spaces", causing "quite significant damage to those three houses." There is also a "hole in the roof" in the fourth home, along with "extensive smoke damage." Warning people against using third-party chargers for their vape devices, she added: "If you are using vapes or any electronic equipment that needs charging, please use the proper chargers. Make sure it's in a safe place. Unplug it if you're not in the room."
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Five inner-city gardens in Toxteth show off their colours
Gardens nestled behind Georgian homes and back alleys in an inner city area of Liverpool have been opened up to show off their character and colour to the five urban gardens in Toxteth, some of which have been created by local residents, have been made accessible for tours as part of the national Open Gardens annual of the spaces is an alleyway between two derelict homes that was transformed into a winter garden and recently featured on Gardeners' World on include a private garden behind a Georgian terraced home, and a classically designed Spanish garden at St Philip Neri said the gardens were a "fascinating group, all within the historic heart of Liverpool". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
