BNP's school target shows true colours

Letter from Simon Shaw | Thursday, 20 July 2006 Source: Ilford Recorder

IN THE run-up to last Thursday's by-election in Redbridge, the British National Party targeted our school in their propaganda.

It may surprise the BNP that we are absolutely proud of everything we hear they accuse us of.

Woodbridge High School is a comprehensive, which celebrates the fact that we are a multicultural/multi-faith community. We promote Black History Month, indeed it is an important part of our school year. We similarly celebrate Refugee Week.

Many classrooms advertise the anti-racist organisation "kick it out', while as a school we have an anti-racist policy and when it is relevant we promote anti-racism in the curriculum.

In the next academic year, we will launch a GCSE in citizenship, which will further embed issues such as tolerance and anti-racism.

Conversely, we recognise the British National Party for what they are and always have been, despite their adoption of sharp suits and a media savvy leader. Many have had convictions for violent behaviour.

We recognise the frustration with mainstream parties that has led people to vote for the BNP, but the fact they attack a successful and harmonious school such as ours, shows what they are really about.

SIMON SHAW

On Behalf of 50 members of the National Union of Teachers

Woodbridge High School