Schools are having to tackle a new “confrontational brand of activism” which can have a “limiting effect” on children’s education, England’s chief schools inspector has warned.
Amanda Spielman said it was “unacceptable” that some pupils and teachers are suffering abuse and violence “simply for being who they are” amid a rise in activism both inside and outside schools.
The Ofsted chief has said children should not be “all but forced to support a fellow student’s campaign, no matter how compellingly presented, nor feel that they will be ostracised if they do not”.
In a speech to the Festival of Education, Ms Spielman said: “This is a difficult problem for schools. So much effort goes into encouraging young people to understand and think about their democratic rights, which of course include the right to protest and to campaign for what they believe in.
“But education must come first. And no child should ever feel targeted or marginalised because intolerance has replaced reasoned debate.”
The chief inspector added:…
