Pupils hit back with rainbows after headteacher targeted with homophobic graffiti
Primary school pupils at Newcastle's Hotspur Primary School made the spontaneous display after the incident last week.
By Will Stroude
Pupils at a primary school in Newcastle have given their own lesson in acceptance after making a colourful show of support for their gay headteacher.
Students at Hotspur Primary School in Heaton, decked out their school gates in rainbows after headteacher Miles Wallis-Clarke was targeted with homophobic graffiti last week, The Chronicle reports.
Police are investigating the incident as a suspected hate crime, but Mr Wallis-Clarke has been buoyed by the outpouring of support from parents and pupils.
He told The Chroncle: “There was quite a bit of graffiti outside the school which was very personal about me and homophobic. It had been put there so parents and students would see.
“I am a gay man, I make no secret of that at school and I’m very open and I talk about it. I have been at the school for 15 years and I have never ever had anything like that.
Lovely spontaneous demonstration of support by pupils and parents of @HotspurPrimary after a nasty homophobic incident last week #loveislove pic.twitter.com/MHFNUI5KpX
— Cllr Gareth Kane (@GarethKaneLD) September 30, 2019
“But from what was a hate crime so much love has come pouring out.”
Northumbria Police are currently appealing for information on the homophobic incident, which comes in a year in which the teaching of LGBTQ-inclusive lessons on diversity and acceptance in primary schools has dominated the headlines.
“An investigation has been launched following a report of criminal damage at Hotspur Primary School, Heaton,” said Inspector Robert Stowers in a statement.
“Overnight between September 23 and 24, homophobic graffiti was sprayed on the premises and a path outside the school. We are currently treating the incident as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.
“Nobody should be victimised for being who they are and we are taking this incident very seriously – and will take robust action against those responsible.”
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 349 240919 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”