 Children can attend vigils in the school at lunchtime |
A head teacher says he is so concerned children are being manipulated into protesting against the war he has given them the chance to protest in school. Pupils at Bexhill High School in East Sussex can express their views on a bulletin board, join lunchtime vigils and have regular scope for discussions.
Head Mike Conn says it is vital to stop the pupils being manipulated by anti-war websites.
He says many of the children taking part in protests in recent days do not know what they are campaigning against.
Balanced view
The secondary school has around 1,300 pupils, some of them from a forces background.
 The issue is about children feeling that they have a voice that will be listened to  |
Mr Conn says that is all the more reason for children in the school to be presented with a balanced view. He has arranged for the war to be discussed in every registration period, while the lunchtime candle-lit vigils give those who want to the chance to pray.
Their prayers and opinions are pinned up on a board in the school hall.
No basis for protest
Mr Conn hopes the school's stance will deter pupils from playing truant to protest, as has been seen elsewhere in the UK.
"The initial issue is about children feeling that they have a voice that will be listened to, though not necessarily acted on by our leaders," he said.
"There are websites saying 'if you don't agree with the actions made by Blair walk out of school' and there doesn't seem to be any basis informing these kids about why they should do that.
"Hence, I think, that's why you see on television what they're doing - just running around."
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