Pro-Palestinian badge ban sparks threats: Barclay Primary School faces closure

Barclay Primary School in Leyton, east London, has sent a letter to parents warning that it may have to “revert to online learning” if the safety of children and staff cannot be guaranteed after it received ‘bomb threats’ over the policy.

The threat of closure comes after Katharine Birbalsingh, the head of Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, was also forced to close for Christmas two days early after hoax claims that bombs had been placed on the premises following a decision to impose a “prayer ban”.

Problems first began at Barclay Primary on December 21 after a TikTok video, alleging that an eight-year-old pupil was being bullied by teachers for being Palestinian went viral.

Subsequent protests forced the school to shut two days early at the end of last term because of “escalating threats against staff” caused by “malicious fabrications”.

The video, whose allegations are denied by staff, was viewed more than 250,000 times.

But the backlash has continued into the new year, with police officers stationed at the school amid “allegations of anti-Muslim prejudice and Islamophobia towards staff members”.”

And in a letter to parents on January 10, Lion Academy Trust, which runs Barclay Primary School, warned that measures were being taken “to secure the school for the benefit of children and staff” amid “despicable threats”.

It said that over the Christmas period, “a serious threat was received in writing” and shared with police, and that on Jan 9, an anonymous caller “made a series of racial slurs and a further threat to commit criminal damage (arson) against the school and to individual staff”. Among the measures being taken are hiring private security, securing additional support from the Metropolitan Police, closing the main reception and installing CCTV.

The letter added that “further measures” were being considered if “this situation does not revert to a normal mode of operation” or if “the safety of children or staff cannot be assured”.

This meant that officials would “close the school and revert to online learning for as long as we believe it is necessary”.

It concluded: “This is the option of last resort – but please be aware that, should staff continue to be threatened, then we will have no option but to close the school.”

“Additionally, if any parent or individual is proven to be involved in instigating this campaign against the school, via their actions online or in-person, we will act to ban those individuals from attending the site(s).”

Justin James, the executive head teacher of Barclay Primary School, earlier also wrote to parents saying that no evidence to support any allegations of bullying or misconduct had been found through either an external or internal investigation.

“Staff have been subject to a severe degree of misconduct and harassment, which now forms the basis of a series of criminal investigations that are currently taking place,” he wrote.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one concerned staff member at the school said: “Barclay Primary School is currently being targeted by a group of parents who are pushing a political agenda and accusations of Islamophobia by not adhering to the school’s uniform policy.

“Staff are being intimidated, bullied, abused, threatened and confronted as a result of misinformation and manipulation of the trust for this agenda.

“The bomb threat that was made during the Christmas holidayled to the police being at the school in January for the first week of school, with more anxiety for staff. This has been further escalated by a recent arson threat and severe threats of violence and abuse of staff over the past weeks.”

“I personally am scared for my safety and all staff within the school. I am shocked that this is happening to a primary school.”

Barclay Primary School declined to comment.

But a spokesman for the Lion Academy Trust said it was “working with all relevant agencies to manage a complex set of issues and are keen to return to focussing on the delivery of teaching and learning”.

It added: “We welcome the ongoing support of our parents and families who are working with the school and in line with the published policies and have no further comment to make at this time.”