London primary school set to CLOSE as Palestine flag row sparks 'bomb threats'

The school was closed early for Christmas due to “escalating threats against staff” after a video on TikTok claimed that an eight-year-old boy was bullied by teachers for wearing a Palestinian flag badge on his coat.

Protesters gathered outside the school on December 21, claiming that an “innocent” student of Palestinian heritage had been “discriminated against”.

Flags were unfurled from the school’s fences as protesters chanted “Barclay, shame on you” and “education is under attack”.

Police officers have since been stationed outside the school, amid “allegations of anti-Muslim prejudice and Islamophobia towards staff members”.

Lion Academy Trust, which runs the primary school, wrote to all parents on January 10 warning if things did not change, the school would have to resort to remote learning.

It also said that measures were being taken “to secure the school for the benefit of children and staff” amid “despicable threats”.

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The new measures include hiring private security, closing the main reception, and installing CCTV on the perimeters.

The letter said that over the festive period, “a serious threat was received in writing” which the trust then shared with police.

It also disclosed that on January 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”.

The letter 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).”

Two days before the January 10 letter, head teacher Justin James wrote to parents sharing the results of internal and external investigations of the incident.

All investigations concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that any bullying took place.

An anonymous staff member said that a "bomb threat" had been made. They told The Telegraph: “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 schools uniform policy.

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

“I personally, am scared for my safety and all staff within the school,” they said.

“I am shocked that this is happening to a primary school. I chose to work at this school because it is one of the best in the country and I value its dedication and hard work. What has been happening is unacceptable for the staff and children - no school should be subjected to this.

Upon closing the school early in December, the trust said: “In the light of escalating threats against staff and the school, based on malicious fabrications being broadcast by various media outlets, the Lion Academy Trust will be closing the school from December 20, 2023, to all parents and pupils for the Christmas break.

“This decision has been made after careful reflection and because we need the school to be a safe place for the children and staff.”

GB News has contacted the Met Police for comment.