A headmaster has admitted primary school children were banned from watching the eclipse for 'cultural and religious' reasons.
Council officials demanded an explanation from the head of the school in a multi-cultural suburb of west London.
Phil Belman, the father of a seven-year-old girl at North Primary School in Southall, rang the headteacher to express his anger.
My daughter was sent home yesterday to make a pinhole camera for the eclipse.
This morning I heard for religious and cultural reasons the kids were going to be banned from any part in the eclipse.
I was put through to him straight away and he confirmed it, religious and cultural reasons. I said that was totally outrageous. I asked him to elaborate and he refused.
It's just going back to the dark ages really.
– Phil Belman, Parent
The school made this decision when we became aware of religious and cultural concerns associated with observing an eclipse directly.
Although we are sorry for any disappointment, pupils were still able to watch the eclipse on screens in classrooms.
However, the overcast conditions in West London today meant they would not have been able to see it live in any case.
– Ivor Johnstone, Headteacher North Primary School
Anthea: I am NOT the only person in England who thinks this is WRONG - in fact NONE of my non-English friends are happy with these sort of occurrences that are taking part throughout the UK
English people's right to choose should NOT be affected by other people's cultural beliefs - in this instance the children whose parents wish to segregate them and forbid them from watching the eclipse should have either kept them at home for the day or written to the school requesting that they be allowed to remain indoors while their classmates were outside viewing such a unique experience - problem solved
