News from the New Party

Government plans "would have breached the Act"

High Court Judge, Mr Justice Burton, stated that "there would have been a breach of sections 406 and 407 of the [Education] Act [1996] but for the bringing of these proceedings..."  He awarded two-thirds costs against the Government and required it to make an interim payment of £60,000.

Stewart Dimmock commented: "I feel that, as far as it goes, this is a very good judgement.  However, as a parent, I find it perplexing that, despite agreeing that that the film was riddled with errors and exaggerations, the Court failed to issue an outright ban on its use in the classroom. Perhaps the Government will now do the honourable thing and bin it."

The film can now only be shown as set out in new Guidance Notes which are to be distributed in hard copy alongside the film.  Teachers are bound to make it clear that the film is a political work which promotes only one side of the argument, otherwise they themselves may be in breach of section 406. Nine inaccuracies also have to be specifically drawn to the attention of school children.

Click here for details of the film's inaccuracies

NOTES

Recent reporting on the case:

• Daily Mail, 03.10.07

• Telegraph, 03.10.07

• The Times, 03.10.07
  

Useful links:

• Teachernet
• StraightTeaching