Demonstrators protesting against primary school children being taught that people of all genders and sexualities should be treated equally have been served with a high court injunction.
Birmingham city council made the application following several weeks of protests outside Anderton Park primary school in the city.
Citing “increasing fears for the safety and wellbeing of the staff, children and parents”, the council said it pursued legal action after the situation had become “too serious to tolerate”.
The interim injunction covers the streets immediately surrounding the school and prevents protesters printing or distributing leaflets, inviting others to protest and encouraging people to congregate at the entrance. The protesters will have a chance to make their case to a judge on 10 June.
According to the order published on the council’s website, it also prohibits social media being used to make offensive or abusive comments about staff members.
The moves follows weeks of protests at various schools over the adoption of a programme designed to teach children about characteristics protected by the Equality Act. The No Outsiders programme has formed part of sex and relationship education (SRE) lessons in some schools. Its ethos is to promote LGBT equality and challenge homophobia in primary schools.
A group of parents – predominantly, though not exclusively, Muslims – have objected to their children being taught from the programme.
Demonstrators had continued to gather outside the school in Dennis Road despite criticism from authorities including the council and police. The headteacher announced the site would close for half term early last week over safety fears.
The leader of Birmingham city council, Ian Ward, said: “I’m pleased that common sense has prevailed because children right across Birmingham should be free to attend school safely and without disruption.
“All our schools must be safe spaces and we will not tolerate the ongoing intimidation of parents, hard-working school staff and local residents.
“We’ll continue to support the school and its staff and I would urge parents to take this opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with the school about any concerns they may have.”
The education secretary, Damian Hinds, has previously issued a fierce condemnation of the demonstrations, calling them “unacceptable”. He welcomed the high court injunction, saying: “It is not right to protest in front of schools; it is frightening to children and disrespectful to hard working teachers. This will allow children to return to school and parents to continue peaceful and constructive discussions with staff.
“I support and trust head teachers to make decisions in the interests of their pupils. Parents should share their views and concerns, and schools should listen. However, what is taught and how is ultimately a decision for schools. Consultation does not mean parents have a veto on curriculum content.
“There is no reason why teaching children about the society that we live in and the different types of loving, healthy relationships that exist cannot be done in a way that respects everyone.”
Esther McVey, his parliamentary colleague and a Tory leadership candidate, was criticised this week for saying it should be up to parents if they want to withdraw their primary-age children from lessons on same-sex relationships.
