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A Nativity play or a quiz?

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A girl in KS1, who has a brother with AS in KS2 at the same school, was picked up from school one November afternoon in tears. In her hands was a letter saying that the school would not be holding a Nativity play this year because rehearsals and preparations would divert too much time away from academic studies. Last year she was promised a main character in the play. The latest Ofsted report for the school was quite critical and emphasised that standards in English and maths were falling. The next week she was handed another letter saying that the school was holding an inter-house quiz afternoon followed by a party for KS1 kids instead of a play in December. Her brother felt chuffed and gutted at the same time. He wasn't keen on the Nativity play when he was in KS1 then said that he would have much preferred a quiz, followed by a ramble of how schools rarely offer activities that kids with AS have potential to excel in.

 

Towards the end of December information had leaked out that the school had cancelled the Nativity play because of pressure from Muslim parents and used the Ofsted report as a smokescreen. About 1 in 4 of the kids who attend the school are Muslim who's parents feel that the school should be more inclusive towards them at Christmas by holding activities they can participate in. Of course, such a move has created tensions with many non-Muslim parents who's kids make up the majority at the school which look as if they will campaign to the governors to have the Nativity play restored in 2014.

 

What do you think of this? Was the brother with AS acting in a bad way? Is popular opinion more important than catering to the needs of individuals?

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I am confused. what is meant by "was the brother acting in a bad way"? I cannot see in your post what he done or said that was wrong. Also personally find it extremely unlikely that the nativity did not go ahead because of muslim parents,who you say are in the minority. This is why there are so many tensions in this country because of such mis-information, I often believe its people who start such things wishing for tensions and they usually get a result from this.

 

My son(NT) goes to a school with 50% of the pupils being muslim and they had a nativity play and every one of the muslim pupils took part...and their parents attended! We have a school not far from where we live which is 90% muslim and they also have a nativity. So I do find this hard to believe..but could be wrong.

 

"is popular opinion more important than catering to the needs of individuals" that is a difficult one, especially in the above situation. If they don't have a nativity and replace with a quiz some people may prefer this but the majority will not. I personally feel an opt out should always be there for anyone and a back up plan for those who chose to opt out. My kids have usually had a xmas fayre, nativity, xmas class party and usually have monthly quiz nights. So it is possible for everyone to be happy if its done correctly.

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