A primary school in Peterborough has come under fire by parents after pupils observing Ramadan were asked to spend their lunch breaks at home.
The Beeches Primary School said around 30 Muslim children in years five and six were practising the fasts, during which they avoid eating between dawn and dusk. However, management told parents to take their children home during the 45-minute lunch break due to a “staff shortage”.
Headteacher Will Fisk said that the school is working on a way to support working parents whose children were fasting. Kiran Chhapra, whose son is in year six, said sending pupils home during lunchtime was “impractical, insensitive and inconvenient” for working parents.
According to disgruntled parents, they have been asked to collect and return their children to school rather than allowing them to walk home. Ms Chhapra said: “It’s a school that prides in being multi-cultural and has often been supportive of different ethnic practices.
“I don’t drive, so I had to walk with my newborn to bring my son while working from home. It’s extremely impractical and inconvenient.
“I don’t understand why the school suggested something so insensitive. I was shocked.” Another mother said the situation was “ridiculous”.
She said: “I have a son in year 6 too and on Monday I was told by the staff to pick him and take him home during lunch time as there is no staff to monitor these children. I don’t live nearby and it’s a hassle for me.
“I am sure the school can work something out to arrange a spare teacher for that time period.” In a statement, the school said: “At the Beeches, we greatly value working in partnership with parents and are always open to finding solutions to any issues that arise.
“We are actively working on a way forward to help support working parents whose children are fasting and will keep parents updated on progress with this.” Meanwhile, it was recently announced that the school received a Good rating from its latest Ofsted inspection.
The primary school was inspected in November 2023 and came out with its second consecutive Good rating. The report highlighted the school’s “broad and ambitious curriculum” and the way the school’s pupils have developed a real pleasure in reading.
The report also praised the school for its ambitious plans for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and for its early year’s curriculum, which helps children prepare for Year 1 and evoke their interest in writing.
