Hundreds of Brighton and Hove schoolchildren have joined today’s climate change march in the city centre despite schools urging them to make their voices heard in other ways.
The schools must be empty! Over 800 kids out of class for the Brighon #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/5IDhQxOXpX
— Callum Cant (@CallumCant1) February 15, 2019
Today’s Climate Change strike is taking place in cities all over the country, inspired by the example of 15-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who has been missing lessons every Friday to protest outside the Swedish parliament.
About 800 students gathered at the Clock Tower at 11am, and began marching along Queens Road and down Trafalgar Street towards The Level, where a series of speeches are due to be made.
#schoolstrike4climate in #Brighton – real lack of apathy amongst the #Brighton youth! pic.twitter.com/5tJaEkssel
— Adam Muirhead (@youthworkable) February 15, 2019
However, although the city’s secondary schools all said they support the principle behind the march, they would not be authorising absences for this particular demonstration.
Blatchington Mill head Ashley Harrold said: “We are not assured that the coordination of the protest is sufficient to ensure student safety as it is located in a congested area of Brighton.
““We feel that the protests are a superficial response to a deep-rooted socio-environmental issue. The protest does not highlight the wider changes required, including government targets, green taxes or student pledges that could have far-reaching consequences in the long-term fight against climate change.”
Hove MP Peter Kyle will be coming into the school later to talk to students about climate change.
Dorothy Stringer head Richard Bradford said: “Whilst we understand the strength of feeling amongst our students to the very important issue of climate change, we would urge our students against walking out of school on Friday.
“We are extremely concerned about the safety and wellbeing of young people who are intending to leave the school premises to take part in a mass demonstration. We have a duty of care for the safeguarding and wellbeing of our students as well as their learning. Clearly, we cannot do that if they are not on the premises and not under our supervision.
“As a school, we are not assured that the coordination of the protest is sufficient to ensure student safety as it is located in a congested area of Brighton with no publicised route planned.
“Our lack of knowledge of the organisation of the event is also a major concern in terms of keeping our students safe. We would therefore encourage parents/carers to do their own research and make their own decision about whether or not they think it is safe for their child to attend this demonstration.”
Varndean School also asked students not to join the strike, asking them to instead stay in school and wear green to meet Brighton Pavilion’s Green MP Caroline Lucas.
In an email to parents, the school said: “There is growing media coverage surrounding students protesting about climate change on Friday 15 February. Youth strike 4 climate are calling for students to walk out of school at 11am. As a school, we are keen to support our students expressing their views on climate change, but need to do this in a managed and safe way. Therefore we will not be authorising absence from school on Friday.
“We are pleased however that our student leadership have been in touch with Caroline Lucas’ office in parliament and she has agreed to come to Varndean School to hear the student protest.
“All students wishing to support the campaign are encouraged to wear something green on Friday. In tutor time, students will lead an input on the climate change issue and then have the opportunity to comment and sign a petition. These views will then be received by Caroline Lucas MP.”
Then They where all picked up by there mummies in there gas guzzelling 4×4 cars and they will all fly away next week for holidays.
The poor youth brain washed by there over paid left wing teachers.
I don’t think that your English teacher did a very good job.
How completely narrow minded of the school heads to take that stance. The march was organised by young people themselves, inspired by Greta Thunberg to stand up for what they believe in. It sends a powerful message about the willingness and tenacity of the next generation coming through.
For the schools to take this beaurocratic, safety first response just shows how out of touch they are with their own students. The earth isn’t safe and governments aren’t doing enough to plan their route ahead. Wakey Wakey!