The Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education has expressed its disappointment at attempts to frame the dismissal of a homophobic and transphobic teaching assistant as an attack on, rather than a defence of, religious freedom. Media reports this week reveal that a former teaching assistant has been dismissed from their post at a school after making homophobic and transphobic comments and criticising attempts to promote inclusivity on these grounds in schools. The former teacher assistant has sought to justify their views on religious grounds.
Chair of the Accord Coalition, the Revd Stephen Terry, said ‘Given the crucial role schools play in helping children reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives, it is vital that they and their staff should not illegally discriminate or seek to frustrate measures to tackle discrimination. Turning a blind eye to this would undermine school’s duty to promote equality of opportunity and to foster good relations between people of different characteristics, while it could potentially lead to an enormous detriment for some pupils, families and staff.’
‘It is is very disappointing to see religion being used in this case to justify discriminatory attitudes, and highly distasteful that the former teaching assistant in question has been framed by some as the victim of religious discrimination. It is not possible to uphold religious freedom whilst simultaneously permitting faith based discrimination against others. To do so would undermine the equality and human rights framework that is supposed to protect us all.’
