Fury as Church of England primary school pupils ‘coerced’ into Islamic prayers

Seven-year-old pupils at a Church of England primary school were allegedly “coerced” into performing Islamic prayers, sparking fury among parents. Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader and MP for Boston and Skegness, has written to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, after a Christian father complained that his seven-year-old daughter and classmates – none of them Muslim – were instructed to kneel, bow their heads and enact the full physical movements of Muslim prayer during a religious education lesson last Wednesday.

The parent said the class was shown a video of worshippers kneeling on prayer mats facing Mecca and reciting prayers to Allah, before the teacher allegedly told them: “OK, let’s all have a go now. We all need to do the performing of the prayer.” He claimed pupils were encouraged to remove their shoes without prior parental permission and without an opt-out option. His daughter later told him at bedtime: “We did prayers to Allah yesterday.”

The father has reported the incident to Lincolnshire Police, reported The Telegraph.

A spokesperson for the Diocesan Board of Education strongly disputed the claims. Representing the school, the spokesperson said: “A concern was raised by a parent about a Religious Education lesson at a Church of England Primary School. The school acted promptly to review what took place, respond to the parent, and carry out appropriate follow‑up.”

The Diocese clarified that while the lesson began following a relevant plan, the physical demonstration was an anomaly. They maintain that no child was forced to participate and that the lesson remained within legal educational boundaries.

The spokesperson added: “Pupils were invited to demonstrate some of the movements associated with Muslim prayer. Although this was outside of 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. No mats were used, and pupils were not asked to face any particular direction.”

The school will now “undertake appropriate reflection” to ensure future lessons align with its non‑confessional approach.

The Diocese stressed the curriculum does not involve acts of worship but uses academic exploration to teach how religious people pray, including Christian, Jewish, and Sikh traditions. It aims to provide a balanced overview of world faiths.

Religious education is compulsory in English state schools, but parents have the right to withdraw their children.

State-funded schools must also provide daily collective worship of a “broadly Christian character”, with opt-out rights.

Mr Tice said the allegations had caused “significant concern among parents” and he was seeking clarity from the Church of England on how schools teach other faiths while respecting parental rights and avoiding compulsion.

In his letter, Mr Tice wrote: “This matter has understandably caused significant concern among parents and clarity on the Church’s position would be greatly appreciated.”

The row appears to echo growing unease over religious education in Church of England schools.

Last month another C of E primary in County Durham invited a Muslim speaker to teach seven- and eight-year-olds how to pray to Allah.

The Diocese insisted the school remains fully compliant with Department for Education guidance, including the promotion of British values and the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

It maintains the curriculum is developed with specialists to ensure legal alignment and best practice across its educational institutions.

Express.co.uk has contacted Lincolnshire Police and the Church of England for additional comment.