A Warwickshire school has been forced to close early for the summer holidays after staff received “extremist abuse” and personal threats following a row over a 12-year-old pupil’s Union Jack dress.
Bilton School in Rugby closed today “in the interests of student and staff safety” after the nature and tone of abuse escalated to include personal threats against teachers and administrators.
The closure comes after Courtney Wright, 12, was isolated and sent home for wearing a Spice Girls-inspired Union Jack dress to the school’s Culture Celebration Day last Friday.
Threats Force Emergency Closure
In a letter sent to parents on Thursday, Ranjit Samra, CEO of Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust, and headteacher Jayne Delves confirmed the school would shut earlier than planned.
“Over the last week the school has been the target of extremist abuse, online and via our telephone systems, which deeply saddens us,” the letter stated.
“The nature and tone of this abuse has escalated in recent days including personal threats to staff.”
The letter emphasised that whilst the school had been working with “multi-agency partners” to address the situation, their primary responsibility remained the safety of students and staff.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We understand the disruption this may cause to your families and your child’s education, but the safety of our school community must come first,” officials wrote.
Original Incident Sparks National Debate
The controversy began when “straight A” student Courtney Wright chose to wear a sequinned Union Jack dress for Culture Celebration Day on 11 July, along with preparing a speech about British history and traditions.
Courtney was stopped at the school gates and ordered to change, before being made to sit in isolation in reception until her father could collect her.
“Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong,” said her father Stuart Field, 47. “She should not be made to feel embarrassed about being British.”
Mr Field revealed that pupils wearing St George’s flags and Welsh flags were also turned away, adding: “It just seemed anything that was remotely British wasn’t allowed.”
Prime Minister Weighs In
The incident drew national attention, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson stating on Tuesday that the PM had “always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated”.
“We are a tolerant, diverse, open country, proud of being British,” the spokesperson added, noting the school had issued an apology.
Courtney’s undelivered speech had included the lines: “I think culture should be for everyone – not just for people from other countries or backgrounds. Being British is still a culture, and it matters, too.”
School Issues Apology
Following the initial backlash, Stowe Valley Trust issued a comprehensive apology, stating they “deeply regret the distress this has caused”.
“On Friday 11th July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community,” the statement read.
The school confirmed they had spoken directly with Courtney and her family “to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better”.
Officials pledged to review policies and strengthen staff training “to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all”.
Far-Right Figure Capitalises
The controversy attracted attention from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, who invited Courtney and her father to his next public event in London.
“They stopped this brave little girl giving her speech to a classroom of 30 pupils. Millions will watch as she delivers her speech on stage on September 13th in London,” Robinson wrote on X.
The invitation has added another layer of complexity to what began as a school culture day incident.
Wider Pattern Emerges
Mr Field said he had received messages from people across the country sharing similar experiences over the past three days.
“It’s been a significant number with similar experiences, whether it be taking a flag down or culture days at school,” he said.
“We’ve had people from Italy offering gifts for Courtney. It goes to say a lot when people from all four corners of the world are looking at the United Kingdom thinking something is going wrong.”
School’s Original Instructions
A newly revealed letter to parents before the event had urged pupils to “wear traditional cultural dress” and described it as a “fantastic opportunity for students to proudly represent their heritage”.
The letter stated the day was “dedicated to recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community” and encouraged students to celebrate their “nationality or family heritage.
Courtney told GB News she felt “really embarrassed” by the incident, adding: “All my friends were getting angry at why the teachers were doing that because my dress was wonderful.
The school had been due to remain open for a half-day on Friday before the decision to close completely in response to the escalating threats.
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3 comments
Tara Whitman needs to interview Tommy Robinson and maybe she’d find out that he’s not “far right” he’s just a normal working class man with intelligence, integrity and the balls to tell the truth. He represents millions of Britons and realists worldwide who are sick and tired of WOKE, fake EDI crap.
There is nothing wrong with being British and proud of it.the school was in the wrong for doing this to a young girl I can imagine how she family and others were feeling.i
would of let my grankids wear traditional English clothing after all we are British.my heart goes out to this brave young lady
Far right? Not sure what that is supposed to mean? Do you even know? As a journalist do habitually describe people as being ‘far left’? If not, please stop adding your own bias and opinions to your articles. Report the news, don’t distort it. With what’s happening in your country right now, one would have thought that you would be more informed that ordinary citizens and your native culture is being purposefully marginalized. It’s all over ‘far right’ broadcasts, or rather over broadcasts that report without prejudice.