'This is a fantastic school': Parent supports school amid race row over additional lessons for black pupils

10 July 2023, 11:27 | Updated: 10 July 2023, 12:06

Parent supports school amid race row

By Phoebe Dampare Osei

As black pupils are given additional literacy lessons on Saturdays at Coldfall Primary School in Muswell Hill, this caller said he supports the "pastoral care" given to the children.

Adam in Muswell Hill called Nick Ferrari at Breakfast to add some context to the story, reported in The Telegraph, explaining that his daughter is a Year 5 pupil at the school.

He said: "This is a fantastic school, supportive, pastoral care, we couldn't be happier with this school."

"There's an incredibly involved parents advisory board, that are involved in all aspects of the school, and they would have been part of any conversation. Obviously, there's one individual who's not happy", he continued.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer pledges to shatter 'class ceiling' with 'radical reform' of education system

Adam wanted to "caveat this" by adding that his children are white, adding that the decision for the school to have such lessons would have been made "in consultation with parents", but acknowledged that "you're not going to keep everybody happy".

He praised "how wonderful it is, how inclusive and diverse it is".

Nick then asked why would it appear that "a fair cohort of pupils" were "behind the expected standard in national reading tests last year" and "11 times behind for writing as well in tests".

Ali Miraj fumes at special treatment in schools for black children

His caller replied: "I can only talk for my kids, and you know it might be one particular class, and so I can't identify why that's the case", adding the school is "obviously being proactive in doing something about this", by having the additional literacy lessons.

Nick said: "Sadly the children who are failing the most are the white children currently, for whom these extra lessons are not available", to which his caller replied that these lessons could be providing more information about black history.

"While black history is obviously very important, it's equally important that your child or children reach the expected standard in reading tests isn't it?" Nick asked.

READ MORE: Archbishop of Canterbury leads attack against Sunak's migrant bill as govt suffers more defeats in House of Lords

"Yeah, and I can tell you that when they have fallen behind they have been given additional work, additional assistance outside of the class, maybe not in this sort of set time on a Saturday, but that pastoral care has always been given at that school irrelevant of who the child is", Adam responded.

Nick then queried whether the father of three found it "a mistake", clarifying that he "would be saying this if it was the other way round".

"No", Adam answered, reiterating the support that has been given to pupils at the school.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Israel and Hamas have started a four-day truce

'We won't live with Hamas': Fragile four-day truce between Israel and Hamas is 'just a pause', insists Netanyahu adviser

Treasury Minister Gareth Davies confirms that there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

'We've always stood by pensioners;' Minister confirms there are 'no plans' to change winter fuel payments

Sunak will quit even if the election loss is not as bad as feared, Kwasi Kwarteng has told LBC

Rishi Sunak will go even if Tories lose election narrowly but Braverman has no hope of taking over, Kwasi Kwarteng says

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

David Cameron's return to government signals 'the grown ups are back in the building' Clare Foges tells LBC

Exclusive
The education minister has said he respects the police's operational independence.

‘I’ve always respected the operational independence of the police’, education minister says amid Braverman ‘bias’ row

The Culture Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Sports Secretary caught offside by Nick Ferrari as she can't name Rugby adviser she's met with twice in last few months

Hamas are booby trapping nurseries, an IDF spokesperson has said as forces close in on Gaza

Hamas leaving booby traps in nurseries as it departs, says IDF spokesperson

The Justice Secretary was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari ahead of the state opening of Parliament

Government defends King's speech crackdown on crime as long-planned, not electioneering

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Police should take 'as robust a line as possible' on Just Stop Oil, says ex-Met commander

Rishi Sunak says police have the ‘absolute and total’ support of ministers

Rishi Sunak says police have ‘absolute and total’ support ahead of pro-Palestinian protest planned for Armistice Day

Exclusive
The former top Met cop says he thinks the march will be allowed to go ahead

Met 'won't bow to political pressure' over pro-Palestine Armistice Day protest, ex top cop says, amid calls to cancel

The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Top Tory can't tell Nick Ferrari where £38million of taxpayer cash will go in car crash interview on AI

Exclusive
Tony Abbott says the government should consider "physical" blocks on people crossing the English Channel.

British government needs to 'show more courage' to stop migrant Channel crossings, ex Australian PM tells LBC

'Justice should be done' says legal commentator as officer charged with Chris Kaba's murder will be named

'Justice should be done' says legal commentator as officer charged with Chris Kaba's murder will be named

The caller claimed police didn't attend the address because it would be 'too dangerous' (file image)

'Too dangerous' for police to take on bike theft gang because they had an angle grinder, caller claims

Nick Ferrari

Grieving student criticises Israeli government for not taking 'bolder steps' toward a two-state solution