A secondary school in Nottinghamshire has issued a formal apology after a classroom display placed photographs of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and MP Lee Anderson alongside images of notorious far-right dictators.
Display Sparks Outrage and Parliamentary Complaint
The incident occurred at Quarrydale Academy in Sutton-in-Ashfield, where a display board intended to illustrate the political spectrum was shown to Year 9 students. The visual aid featured a range of political figures from the extreme left to the extreme right. However, it positioned contemporary Reform UK parliamentarians adjacent to historical figures such as Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and British fascist leader Oswald Mosley. The board also included labels referencing "extreme right-wing parties," "Nazi party," and "fascism."
Lee Anderson, the Reform MP for Ashfield, discovered the display and publicly condemned it. He shared a photo on Facebook, stating, "This is what our children are being made to look at." Mr Anderson later raised the issue directly in the House of Commons, detailing how his image and that of Mr Farage were placed beside those of Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.
School Launches Review and Issues Apology
Following the complaint, the school swiftly removed the display. Tim Paling, the headteacher of Quarrydale Academy, confirmed the action and announced an internal review into how political and historical content is presented. In a statement, Mr Paling explained that the display was meant as a visual aid to prompt discussion on classifying political ideas in historical contexts.
"However, we recognise that the placement of certain contemporary political figures within this display could be considered inappropriate or easily misinterpreted," he said. The school apologised "for any concerns, offence or distress this situation may have caused." Mr Paling insisted the school does not endorse any political viewpoint and that the display was part of lessons on 20th-century European political ideologies.
Government Stresses Rules on Impartiality
The matter reached the government, with Education Minister Georgia Gould responding to Mr Anderson in Parliament. She emphasised that strict rules on political impartiality apply within the education system and that all schools are expected to adhere to them. The school's internal review will focus on ensuring context is always clear and that materials cannot be misconstrued. Quarrydale Academy stated it is in contact with parents, governors, and other stakeholders regarding the incident.
