Fasting pupils told to spend lunch break at home

The Beeches Primary School said about 30 pupils are fasting in years five and six

A primary school has been criticised by parents after children observing Ramadan were asked to spend their lunch breaks at home.

The Beeches Primary School in Peterborough said about 30 Muslim children in the years 5 and 6 were observing the fasts, during which they refrain from eating between dawn and dusk.

But parents were told by management to take their children home during the 45-minute lunch break because of a “staff shortage”.

Head of school Will Fisk said they were working on a way to support working parents whose children were fasting.

Mum-of-three Kiran Chhapra, who has a son in year 6, said sending children home for lunch break was “impractical, insensitive and inconvenient” for working parents.

Parents claim they have been asked to collect and return their children to school rather than letting them walk home.

“It’s a school that prides in being multi-cultural and has often been supportive of different ethnic practices," Ms Chhapra said.

“I don’t drive so on Monday, I had to walk with my new-born to bring my son while working from home. It’s extremely impractical and inconvenient.

“I don’t understand why the school suggested something so insensitive? I was shocked.”

Another mother who wished to remain anonymous, said the situation was “ridiculous”.

“I have a son in year 6 too," she said, "and on Monday I was told by the staff to pick him and take him home during lunch time as there is no staff to monitor these children.

“I don’t live nearby and it’s a hassle for me.

“I am sure the school can work something out to arrange a spare teacher for that time period.”

In a statement, the school said: "At the Beeches, we greatly value working in partnership with parents and are always open to finding solutions to any issues that arise."

“We are actively working on a way forward to help support working parents whose children are fasting and will keep parents updated on progress with this.”