A Church of England primary school in Lincolnshire is facing complaints after parents alleged that young pupils were encouraged to take part in Islamic prayer during a lesson. The incident involves seven-year-old students, with one father saying his daughter described the activity after returning home. “We did prayers to Allah yesterday,” the girl told him as he was putting her to bed.
According to the complaint, as reported by GB News, the class was shown a video demonstrating how Muslims pray before being encouraged to try the actions themselves. The father said children were instructed to remove their shoes and follow along, with the teacher reportedly saying: "We all need to do the performing of the prayer."
The complaint, raised in the Boston and Skegness constituency, was passed to Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice. It alleged pupils were “coerced, manipulated and cajoled” into taking part, “despite none of the children in the classroom" being Muslim.
The parent also claimed the school did not seek consent from families or give students the option to opt out.
The Diocese of Lincoln, speaking on behalf of the school, disputed the account. A spokesperson said the activity took place during a religious education lesson and was not intended as worship. “During the lesson, which began following the relevant lesson plan, pupils were invited to demonstrate some of the movements associated with Muslim prayer,” the spokesman said.
“Although this was outside the lesson’s intended approach, it was not an act of worship - no prayers or religious words were spoken and no child was required to take part.”
The spokesperson added: “No mats were used and pupils were not asked to face any particular direction.”
Officials said the lesson was part of a broader curriculum designed to teach students about different faiths. “The school’s RE curriculum does not involve children taking part in acts of worship from any faith,” a diocesan education board spokesperson said.
“It follows the diocese’s approved, non-confessional RE programme, which teaches pupils about how different religious people pray through academic exploration and discussion, and is part of a wider sequence including Christian, Jewish and Sikh prayer.”
Tice has written to Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally seeking clarification. “This matter has understandably caused significant concern among parents and clarity on the Church’s position would be greatly appreciated," he said.
According to the complaint, as reported by GB News, the class was shown a video demonstrating how Muslims pray before being encouraged to try the actions themselves. The father said children were instructed to remove their shoes and follow along, with the teacher reportedly saying: "We all need to do the performing of the prayer."
The complaint, raised in the Boston and Skegness constituency, was passed to Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice. It alleged pupils were “coerced, manipulated and cajoled” into taking part, “despite none of the children in the classroom" being Muslim.
The parent also claimed the school did not seek consent from families or give students the option to opt out.
The Diocese of Lincoln, speaking on behalf of the school, disputed the account. A spokesperson said the activity took place during a religious education lesson and was not intended as worship. “During the lesson, which began following the relevant lesson plan, pupils were invited to demonstrate some of the movements associated with Muslim prayer,” the spokesman said.
“Although this was outside the lesson’s intended approach, it was not an act of worship - no prayers or religious words were spoken and no child was required to take part.”
The spokesperson added: “No mats were used and pupils were not asked to face any particular direction.”
Officials said the lesson was part of a broader curriculum designed to teach students about different faiths. “The school’s RE curriculum does not involve children taking part in acts of worship from any faith,” a diocesan education board spokesperson said.
“It follows the diocese’s approved, non-confessional RE programme, which teaches pupils about how different religious people pray through academic exploration and discussion, and is part of a wider sequence including Christian, Jewish and Sikh prayer.”
Tice has written to Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally seeking clarification. “This matter has understandably caused significant concern among parents and clarity on the Church’s position would be greatly appreciated," he said.
