Schoolgirl, 12, ‘punished’ for wearing Union flag dress

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2025/07/15/TELEMMGLPICT000432434941_17525471735150_trans_NvBQ zQNjv4BqUe9AZuGB5e1jQzg7_CsBVPipp6I7Wmq8QJJkq5qiFB M.jpeg?imwidth=1520

A 12-year-old girl was put into isolation for wearing a Union flag dress to her
school’s culture day, her father has said.

“Straight A” student Courtney Wright wore the Spice Girls-esque dress and
wrote a piece about British history and traditions as part of the celebrations
on Friday.

She was later told the dress was “unacceptable” and was hauled out of
lessons and made to sit in reception until her father collected her.

Bilton School in Rugby, Warks.

Mr Field, who works in marine restoration, said: “Courtney was so
embarrassed and couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong.

“She should not be made to feel embarrassed about being British. And she
shouldn’t be punished for celebrating being British – nobody else I’ve spoken
to can quite get their heads around it.”

In a permission letter sent to parents, it said the day was “designed to
promote inclusion:rolleyes:, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds,
traditions and heritages”.

But Mr Field said the school’s actions went against the message and other
pupils with St George’s flags and Welsh flags were also turned away from the
school gates.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2025/07/15/TELEMMGLPICT000432464008_17525666425710_trans_NvBQ zQNjv4BqklJMpHghSsFStibPLjL7GoP6EnY2GNfKqEGyiS0t1b 8.jpeg?imwidth=560

A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust read from a prepared script and said: “At Bilton School, we are proud of
the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our
community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil
feels respected, valued, and included.

then they added: “We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our
sincere and unreserved apologies.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/15/schoolgirl-punished-for-wearing-union-flag-dress/

[Livia]

The school needs a clear out of staff. What are they teaching our kids??

[BBXX]

It's a very ugly dress, but what a stupid decision by the teacher/school.

[Crimson Dynamo]

It's a very ugly dress, but what a stupid decision by the teacher/school.

Its the iconic dress of 90s UK

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/fashion/2016/07/07/6-rexfeatures_293322d_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq4OnQqFbkmYAS QeVrzQMWzbdW9GsIg_IdXoO3hLC-PYs.jpg?imwidth=640

[BBXX]

Its the iconic dress of 90s UK

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/fashion/2016/07/07/6-rexfeatures_293322d_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq4OnQqFbkmYAS QeVrzQMWzbdW9GsIg_IdXoO3hLC-PYs.jpg?imwidth=640

It's not the same dress.

[Niamh.]

It's not the same dress.

I don't think Geri's dress would be appropriate for a 12 year old/school for different reasons :laugh:

[Livia]

I don't think it's an ugly dress. What a very strange claim lol... I'd like to see the other pupils and what they wore so I can judge whether the dress of a 12 year old is ugly or not.

[Beso]

It's a very ugly dress, but what a stupid decision by the teacher/school.

But that fine upstanding British girl makes it look beautiful.

[Livia]

But that fine upstanding British girl makes it look beautiful.

True.

[BBXX]

I don't think Geri's dress would be appropriate for a 12 year old/school for different reasons :laugh:

HAHA absolutely agree with that.

[BBXX]

I don't think it's an ugly dress. What a very strange claim lol... I'd like to see the other pupils and what they wore so I can judge whether the dress of a 12 year old is ugly or not.

I just don't like sequins sorry :laugh:. I don't need to see what other people wear to change that. My comment was simply meant to be humorous, sorry it didn't land.

[Ninastar]

We had multicultural day here at my school and it was beautiful to see all the different outfits people wore. I loved seeing the African clothing the most. Someone had their baby wrapped up on their back and the baby was like snoooring and I wonder why people don’t do it more here.

The dress in question though is totally fine?? I feel like there’s more to the story. Like maybe the kid was supposed to dress in a different culture? Like they had set themes? Although that can be seen as cultural appropriation too though.

I don’t know but something doesn’t seem right to me

[Ninastar]

Maybe because the shoulders are out??? Idk but I honestly doubt it was something as simple as ‘we can’t celebrate being British’

Even though I know it happens, I’m still sus about this story

[Niamh.]

Maybe because the shoulders are out??? Idk but I honestly doubt it was something as simple as ‘we can’t celebrate being British’

Even though I know it happens, I’m still sus about this story

Yeah I'm always reluctant to comment on these stories as they feel race baity and I wonder if there is more to it than what's been said here. Obviously if it is just because they don't want someone celebrating being British and nothing else then it's totally wrong

[Crimson Dynamo]

Doctor Gad Saad wrote about this in his book The Parasitic Mind:

The Parasitic Mind addressed what happens to our cognitive system when it is
hijacked by ideological rapture. My forthcoming book Suicidal Empathy
further examines the descent to madness by highlighting the inability to
implement optimal decisions when our emotional system is tricked into an
orgiastic hyperactive form of empathy, deployed on the wrong targets. This is
how the rights of a minuscule minority of trans women (i.e., biological males)
trample the rights of actual women in athletic competitions. It is how illegal
migrants end up receiving greater U.S. aid than American veterans or
American victims of natural disasters. Evolution has endowed our emotional
and cognitive systems with the capacity to deploy our resources strategically.
This is why parents are willing to jump in front of a bus to save their
biological children but are less likely to sacrifice their lives to save a random
child across the globe. It does not make them callous but Darwinian beings
capable of cost-benefit tradeoffs rooted in universal features of our human nature.


Teachers, councillors, lecturers etc are getting huge dopamine hits from this
perceived virtue signalling and of course the rise of social media outlets has
rocket-fueled this. Just look at the Palestine mind virus amongst some of our youngsters!

[BBXX]

Yeah I'm always reluctant to comment on these stories as they feel race baity and I wonder if there is more to it than what's been said here. Obviously if it is just because they don't want someone celebrating being British and nothing else then it's totally wrong

I did think initially I wonder if there was something in the essay, or some form of celebration of being British that is the problem - for instance it's fine to celebrate British culture but celebrating some of Britains history would not be a great look - however the school has come out and apologised and accepted what they did was wrong so I am assuming it was just a big error in judgement.

[Niamh.]

I did think initially I wonder if there was something in the essay, or some form of celebration of being British that is the problem - for instance it's fine to celebrate British culture but celebrating some of Britains history would not be a great look - however the school has come out and apologised and accepted what they did was wrong so I am assuming it was just a big error in judgement.

That's true enough

[Crimson Dynamo]

Yeah I'm always reluctant to comment on these stories as they feel race baity and I wonder if there is more to it than what's been said here. Obviously if it is just because they don't want someone celebrating being British and nothing else then it's totally wrong

4 days in the news cycle and all we have had is a grovelling apology from the school

Id imagine if there was it would be in the public domain now? :shrug:

[Livia]

What's worse than someone being singled out for celebrating being British? The backlash that occurs where people claim there has to be more to it.

[Niamh.]

What's worse than someone being singled out for celebrating being British? The backlash that occurs where people claim there has to be more to it.

It's not "backlash" the story just seems so absurd that people think there's more to it, that's people agreeing that of course she should be allowed celebrate her own culture

[Livia]

It's not "backlash" the story just seems so absurd that people think there's more to it, that's people agreeing that of course she should be allowed celebrate her own culture

Of course she should. If she's not making it all up. That's how it reads.

I come from a place where, under a Labour council, white people have been a minority since 1990. I don't see anything in the least suspect about this story, it's far too familiar.

[Ammi]

…there does seem to be more of the story in that the student wanted to give a speech as well …that doesn’t change the thing that it all appears to be a huge error and mis-judged reaction by the school and I hope that as well as the apology, she is given time to make the speech…which is very well written and very thought filled, I feel…

…the short speech in full…

Hello everyone.
Today I want to talk about my culture - British culture - and why it’s important to me.
In Britain, we have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love for talking about the weather and we have the Royal Family.
We have amazing history, like Kings and Queens, castles, and writers like Shakespeare.
It's also modern, diverse and always changing - with music, fashion and food from all around the world blending into daily life. And let’s not forget fish and chips!
It's also the way we speak, our humour, our values of fairness and politeness, and the mix of old traditions and new ideas.
But sometimes at school, we only hear about other cultures - which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important. But it can feel like being British doesn’t count as a culture, just because it’s the majority.
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. It’s part of who I am.
So let’s celebrate all cultures - whether they come from far away or right here at home.
Thank you!

[Cherie]

…there does seem to be more of the story in that the student wanted to give a speech as well …that doesn’t change the thing that it all appears to be a huge error and mis-judged reaction by the school and I hope that as well as the apology, she is given time to make the speech…which is very well written and very thought filled, I feel…

…the short speech in full…

Hello everyone.
Today I want to talk about my culture - British culture - and why it’s important to me.
In Britain, we have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love for talking about the weather and we have the Royal Family.
We have amazing history, like Kings and Queens, castles, and writers like Shakespeare.
It's also modern, diverse and always changing - with music, fashion and food from all around the world blending into daily life. And let’s not forget fish and chips!
It's also the way we speak, our humour, our values of fairness and politeness, and the mix of old traditions and new ideas.
But sometimes at school, we only hear about other cultures - which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important. But it can feel like being British doesn’t count as a culture, just because it’s the majority.
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. It’s part of who I am.
So let’s celebrate all cultures - whether they come from far away or right here at home.
Thank you!


What a well written inclusive speech, I can't think of another country apart from increasingly ridiculous England where this type of behaviour would happen.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Fantastic speech, clever girl

:clap2:

[Cherie]

My grandnieces in Ireland recently celebrated diversity in their school and they had a parade of flags, about 15 different flags even the English flag! I can only imagine the furore if the Irish flag was not represented, it would make no sense whatsoever

[Livia]

What a well written inclusive speech, I can't think of another country apart from increasingly ridiculous England where this type of behaviour would happen.

If that speech is the evidence of there being "more to this story" then I am truly worried for the future. I hope the school faces some kind of enquiry.

[Beso]

So the school cancelled one of its own pupils. Thats not very inclusive.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Council apologises in primary school Union Flag row

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/976/cpsprodpb/df38/live/fa9a8a10-4ac5-11f0-bb85-4b8bcc71b5ef.jpg.webp

A council has apologised after a primary school wrote to parents saying the
appearance of Union flags at a leavers' event could have been seen as
"offensive or sectarian".

The head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead said flags
featuring pictures of staff, which had been brought to the event by primary 7
pupils, "caused some upset".

Senior Scottish Conservatives criticised the letter on social media and
demanded an apology.

East Renfrewshire Council later said it was not the "school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian" (or at least be caught doing that...)

Head teacher Fiona MacDonald wrote to parents after the leavers' event on
Thursday.

The letter said "the use of the union flag with staff images on had caused
considerable upset at the beginning of the night".https://media.invisioncic.com/Mrangmedia/emoticons/huh.gif

It added the school worked against "potentially offensive or sectarian
messaging".

Ms MacDonald said: "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are
concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider
that is something we would encourage."

The headteacher explained she had spoken to the children to "explain why it
wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission and to explain "the
symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of
people".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0wnn96y79o

[BBXX]

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat :laugh:

[arista]

[A council has apologised after a primary school
wrote to parents saying the
appearance of Union flags at a leavers' event
could have been seen as
"offensive or sectarian".]


Good, the Council has said sorry

[Crimson Dynamo]

[A council has apologised after a primary school
wrote to parents saying the
appearance of Union flags at a leavers' event
could have been seen as
"offensive or sectarian".]


Good, the Council has said sorry

Only because they were called out

how much more of this pernicious stuff happens every week ??

[Ammi]

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat :laugh:

…today/now/as you’re typing this….?…I mean, pics please or that just isn’t happening….(…obviously I’m not being serious about the pics but from now on I’ll always read your posts in cat speak language…)….

[Niamh.]

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat :laugh:

I suppose there would be individual cultures for Scotland and Wales, it's hard not to conflate Britain and England though (just from an outsiders perspective anyway)

[Ammi]

I suppose there would be individual cultures for Scotland and Wales, it's hard not to conflate Britain and England though (just from an outsiders perspective anyway)

…this wasn’t the only one that the singled out apparently and I think one dress/costume that was refused was Welsh if I recall from an article…I mean it was the whole concept of the day to celebrate heritage and inclusivity etc and then exclusions were made…it’s extremely crazy…I feel as though the school has to give the day back to the pupils to do it again if they wish to…

…Edited in the bit of one article I read…

One child dressed in traditional farming clothes — flat cap and checked shirt — wasn’t allowed in. Another with a St George’s flag. One had a Welsh flag. All turned away.

[Niamh.]

…this wasn’t the only one that the singled out apparently and I think one dress/costume that was refused was Welsh if I recall from an article…I mean it was the whole concept of the day to celebrate heritage and inclusivity etc and then exclusions were made…it’s extremely crazy…I feel as though the school has to give the day back to the pupils to do it again if they wish to…

My post was just really in reply to BBXX talking about British culture in general rather than the exclusions that were made in the school. But obviously that's the opposite of inclusion

[Ammi]

My post was just really in reply to BBXX talking about British culture in general rather than the exclusions that were made in the school. But obviously that's the opposite of inclusion

…yeah I realise that…I guess that it just combined with the mention of Scotland and Wales and that bit that I had read in the article about the Welsh flag ‘being rejected’ also…it’s all very strange, I have no idea where the school’s thoughts were at with some decisions its made…

[Niamh.]

…yeah I realise that…I guess that it just combined with the mention of Scotland and Wales and that bit that I had read in the article about the Welsh flag ‘being rejected’ also…it’s all very strange, I have no idea where the school’s thoughts were at with some decisions its made…

Yeah very weird, they clearly only wanted a celebration of foreign cultures but never stated that either but punished people who celebrated their own cultures. bizarre

[Cherie]

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat :laugh:

You could dress up as a Queen :D:

[Cherie]

Yeah very weird, they clearly only wanted a celebration of foreign cultures but never stated that either but punished people who celebrated their own cultures. bizarre

If schools have a culture day and they exclude the native culture, what are the kids supposed to dress up as ...they can't really take on anyone elses culture, it was poorly thought out....whats new? some people are so busy bending over backwards to be inclusive they forget that means everyone and then they wonder why people get pissed off :laugh:

[BBXX]

…today/now/as you’re typing this….?…I mean, pics please or that just isn’t happening….(…obviously I’m not being serious about the pics but from now on I’ll always read your posts in cat speak language…)….

:laugh: I opted for the Royal Guard look, complete with British Culture Starter Pack - Millennial Edition 1.0

https://i.ibb.co/0pXCy7hC/434c5f6b-7374-4594-867e-d7dad82f14cf.png

[Ammi]

…I would probably dress up as a Morris Dancer or something…or maybe attach a sandwich board type thing with The Red Lion on…or a Mod or a Rocker or a Twiggy style 60’s look when British fashion was so on point…

[BBXX]

You could dress up as a Queen :D:

I do that most weekends! :hehe:

[Niamh.]

If schools have a culture day and they exclude the native culture, what are the kids supposed to dress up as ...they can't really take on anyone elses culture, it was poorly thought out....whats new? some people are so busy bending over backwards to be inclusive they forget that means everyone and then they wonder why people get pissed off :laugh:

Well that's the thing isn't it, if the girl in the article came in dressed in African clothes she'd probably be accused of cultural appropriation so it's a lose lose

[Cherie]

I do that most weekends! :hehe:

:laugh:

[Ammi]

:laugh: I opted for the Royal Guard look, complete with British Culture Starter Pack - Millennial Edition 1.0

https://i.ibb.co/0pXCy7hC/434c5f6b-7374-4594-867e-d7dad82f14cf.png

…truly inspired …:lovedup:…I love the Jane Norman carrier but Top Shop was always the one for me…:love:..

[Ammi]

…it’s a shame that the day was marred with the exclusions and how they made some pupils feel because I’m sure that lost in there somewhere, was a great thought of community and celebrating each others sames and differences…

[Ammi]

I do that most weekends! :hehe:

…don’t we all..:fan:..

[Cherie]

PM Keir Starmer's spokesperson appeared to side with the schoolgirl and her family. They said: “I think the school has put out a statement on this so I’m not going to comment further, but the Prime Minister has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated.”

The Mirror

[BBXX]

I suppose there would be individual cultures for Scotland and Wales, it's hard not to conflate Britain and England though (just from an outsiders perspective anyway)

Sorry this got lost.

Fair point, I think - Scotland particularly seems to have a more defined Scottish culture that England has an English culture, which I do think a lot of people as 'British'...

[Livia]

First this girl is excluded from a British school for wearing a union jack. Then there's a whole thread of people suggesting there's a lack of British culture and that English culture doesn't exist anyway.

Tone deaf.

[Livia]

Sorry this got lost.

Fair point, I think - Scotland particularly seems to have a more defined Scottish culture that England has an English culture, which I do think a lot of people as 'British'...

You mean it wasn't worth commenting on till you saw I'd taken exception to it.

[thesheriff443]

Did anyone go dressed as a potato?

[BBXX]

You mean it wasn't worth commenting on till you saw I'd taken exception to it.

No it was because I was too preoccupied making an AI-generated-Jane-Norman-Bag-Carrying-Eastenders-Skirt-Wearing-Spice-Girl-Badge-Emblazed Royal Guard :laugh:

[BBXX]

Is it tone deaf for me, and Englishman, to say that English culture is lacking in strong identity to other countries?

[Niamh.]

First this girl is excluded from a British school for wearing a union jack. Then there's a whole thread of people suggesting there's a lack of British culture and that English culture doesn't exist anyway.

Tone deaf.

I didn't say that at all, that's the second time you've put words in my mouth in this thread, what i actually said was British and English culture seem the same in my head where as the Scottish culture for example seems more defined with Kilts and clans etc and because of films like Braveheart and the like, that's just speaking as an outsider looking in. How is that insulting? I never said English culture doesn't exist.

[arista]

Young Lady and Dad

Now on GBnewsHD LIVE

[BBXX]

And with that I grow a little more suspicious :laugh:

[arista]

The Young Lady is pleased
with so many wishing her well.

She is 12 years old.

[Mystic Mock]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2025/07/15/TELEMMGLPICT000432434941_17525471735150_trans_NvBQ zQNjv4BqUe9AZuGB5e1jQzg7_CsBVPipp6I7Wmq8QJJkq5qiFB M.jpeg?imwidth=1520

A 12-year-old girl was put into isolation for wearing a Union flag dress to her
school’s culture day, her father has said.

“Straight A” student Courtney Wright wore the Spice Girls-esque dress and
wrote a piece about British history and traditions as part of the celebrations
on Friday.

She was later told the dress was “unacceptable” and was hauled out of
lessons and made to sit in reception until her father collected her.

Bilton School in Rugby, Warks.

Mr Field, who works in marine restoration, said: “Courtney was so
embarrassed and couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong.

“She should not be made to feel embarrassed about being British. And she
shouldn’t be punished for celebrating being British – nobody else I’ve spoken
to can quite get their heads around it.”

In a permission letter sent to parents, it said the day was “designed to
promote inclusion:rolleyes:, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds,
traditions and heritages”.

But Mr Field said the school’s actions went against the message and other
pupils with St George’s flags and Welsh flags were also turned away from the
school gates.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2025/07/15/TELEMMGLPICT000432464008_17525666425710_trans_NvBQ zQNjv4BqklJMpHghSsFStibPLjL7GoP6EnY2GNfKqEGyiS0t1b 8.jpeg?imwidth=560

A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust read from a prepared script and said: “At Bilton School, we are proud of
the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our
community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil
feels respected, valued, and included.

then they added: “We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our
sincere and unreserved apologies.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/15/schoolgirl-punished-for-wearing-union-flag-dress/

I'm praying to God that there's more to this story, because that's incredibly pathetic from the School otherwise.

Wearing a union flag dress.

https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/screaming-picture-id182209650?k=6&m=182209650&s=612x612&w=0&h=jzqx0-ZU_Az0ifuht45Vu5T4i3lRcqQ6oO_v69bpxsc=

[Mystic Mock]

Its the iconic dress of 90s UK

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/fashion/2016/07/07/6-rexfeatures_293322d_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq4OnQqFbkmYAS QeVrzQMWzbdW9GsIg_IdXoO3hLC-PYs.jpg?imwidth=640

We have a very different definition of iconic.:laugh:

[Mystic Mock]

It's not "backlash" the story just seems so absurd that people think there's more to it, that's people agreeing that of course she should be allowed celebrate her own culture

This.

I always hope that a School isn't that insane where they despise people celebrating British culture.:umm2:

[Mystic Mock]

What a well written inclusive speech, I can't think of another country apart from increasingly ridiculous England where this type of behaviour would happen.

Not inclusive.

It joins "diverse" in the cult speak lingo.:bawling:

No offence Cherie.:laugh:

[arista]

With her Dad

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gv1IU9ZXsAAp3Zi?format=jpg&name=small

[Mystic Mock]

I have to say though, doesn't it speak for the lack of actual British culture that the main option to show British culture is a dress with the flag on it. This is not dig on a girl, because it's an obvious choice, but genuinely what else do we have? I do actually love our tiny island most of the time but we honestly have such a poor national identity on a lot of things. We produce some amazing music, world class television and cinema but most of our food is shocking really, and a lot of what we hold dear as British people is stolen LOL ffs.

I possibly would have dressed up as a lion or a King's Guard but the choice is bit **** really from a fashion perspective. Some beautiful fabrics and patterns from other cultures, based on heritage, indetitiy and history and I'm sat there dressed as a big cat :laugh:

We do?

[Mystic Mock]

Well that's the thing isn't it, if the girl in the article came in dressed in African clothes she'd probably be accused of cultural appropriation so it's a lose lose

And ironically the School would be wrong as that wouldn't even be cultural appropriation.

But I do agree with you that the School would try it on if that scenario were to happen.

[arista]

https://x.com/alexharmstrong/status/1945096590684815506

She has spoken to the Sun Newspaper

[Liam-]

Dads a Tommy R fanboy apparently, go figures

[Mystic Mock]

Dads a Tommy R fanboy apparently, go figures

Has that been confirmed?

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gv54DKgXQAAIdzn?format=jpg&name=small

[BBXX]

While the speech on its own is completely fair, there is something a bit … confrontational in the context it was read in… with suggesting British culture is never spoken about and that “it’s okay to talk about British culture”… it’s kind of not really needing to be mentioned to a group of fellow 12 year olds because it’s essentially implying division. It also feels like something that would come out the mouth of an adult, rather than a child.

[Mystic Mock]

While the speech on its own is completely fair, there is something a bit … confrontational in the context it was read in… with suggesting British culture is never spoken about and that “it’s okay to talk about British culture”… it’s kind of not really needing to be mentioned to a group of fellow 12 year olds because it’s essentially implying division. It also feels like something that would come out the mouth of an adult, rather than a child.

I was thinking that the speech sounds more like something an adult would say.

It sounds like the parents views are spreading to their child.

[Beso]

I was thinking that the speech sounds more like something an adult would say.

It sounds like the parents views are spreading to their child.

Can you explain a bit more, what views are these? How does the speech refer to what views the parents have.

I'm very confused what you mean by that and how that letter reflects any thoughts her parents might have.



Even if she does, its no different to a kid supporting the same team as their dad.

[Mystic Mock]

Can you explain a bit more, what views are these? How does the speech refer to what views the parents have.

I'm very confused what you mean by that and how that letter reflects any thoughts her parents might have.



Even if she does, its no different to a kid supporting the same team as their dad.

The way that the speech is written in general sounds like the views being expressed from an adult's perspective, rather than a 12 year olds.

Because think back to when you were 12 years old, would you really say things like "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. It's part of who I am."

That's not how 12 year olds naturally speak, it's clearly one of her parents that's influencing her speech.

[Beso]

The way that the speech is written in general sounds like the views being expressed from an adult's perspective, rather than a 12 year olds.

Because think back to when you were 12 years old, would you really say things like "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. It's part of who I am."

That's not how 12 year olds naturally speak, it's clearly one of her parents that's influencing her speech.




It's not clear at all. Maybe you can't think about writing and thinking like that as a 12 year old, but she's a grade A student. A very intelligent 12 year old.

They will have been learning about culture in class, as this sounds very much like an end of module project to me. I find your comments distasteful, and dismissive of the intelligence of this girl.

[Glenn.]

The way that the speech is written in general sounds like the views being expressed from an adult's perspective, rather than a 12 year olds.

Because think back to when you were 12 years old, would you really say things like "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. It's part of who I am."

That's not how 12 year olds naturally speak, it's clearly one of her parents that's influencing her speech.


She’s definitely been influenced by her parents

[Cherie]

She’s definitely been influenced by her parents

We have amazing history, like Kings and Queens, castles, and writers like Shakespeare.
It's also modern, diverse and always changing - with music, fashion and food from all around the world blending into daily life. And let’s not forget fish and chips!

If she has they sound very healthy and balanced which makes a nice change

[Glenn.]

We have amazing history, like Kings and Queens, castles, and writers like Shakespeare.
It's also modern, diverse and always changing - with music, fashion and food from all around the world blending into daily life. And let’s not forget fish and chips!

If she has they sound very healthy and balanced which makes a nice change

Maybe she should have dressed like a king or queen or Shakespeare then.

Not a union flag with a piece of coursework written by her parents.

[Crimson Dynamo]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GwCu5MXWAAA_fAC?format=jpg&name=small

[Liam-]

Her convicted fraudster father has now set up a GoFund me because of course he has :joker:

[Cherie]

Maybe she should have dressed like a king or queen or Shakespeare then.

Not a union flag with a piece of coursework written by her parents.

You are very dismissive that a 12 year old could write like that, personally I think its on par with what a year 7 going into year 8 child would write, speaking as a parent

[Niamh.]

Her convicted fraudster father has now set up a GoFund me because of course he has :joker:

To fund what?

[Cherie]

Her convicted fraudster father has now set up a GoFund me because of course he has :joker:

It was set up by someone called Dan Morgan

https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-proud-british-young-lady

Her Dads name is Stuart Field

[Livia]

It was set up by someone called Dan Morgan

https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-proud-british-young-lady

Her Dads name is Stuart Field

Facts are not important today....

[Niamh.]

It was set up by someone called Dan Morgan

https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-proud-british-young-lady

Her Dads name is Stuart Field

It does say her dad will receive the funds but it doesn't say what the funds are being collected for?

[Liam-]

To fund what?

Probably to follow Robinson around the country to recite the racist speech her dad very clearly wrote for her

[Livia]

It does say her dad will receive the funds but it doesn't say what the funds are being collected for?

A compensation claim against the school for the humiliation she was forced to suffer?

[Cherie]

It does say her dad will receive the funds but it doesn't say what the funds are being collected for?

To give the girl a treat apparently :laugh:, people set up Go Fund me's at the drop of a hat, no one has to contribute

[Livia]

Please will someone explain to me what was racist about her speech? Anyone?

[Cherie]

Probably to follow Robinson around the country to recite the racist speech her dad very clearly wrote for her

Yeah because a racist would write that its great that we have a diverse society....have a word with yourself

[Cherie]

Please will someone explain to me what was racist about her speech? Anyone?

Nothing but keep saying it for long enough and someone might be gaslighted into believing its racist?

[Niamh.]

To give the girl a treat apparently :laugh:, people set up Go Fund me's at the drop of a hat, no one has to contribute

lol ffs, it's a no for me anyway, her dad can buy her an ice-cream :laugh:

[BBXX]

Can't believe she's going to be reciting her speech at a Tommy Robinson event :skull: The school was wrong, but if that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about the intention behind the final few sentences of her speech then I don't know what will. :laugh:

[Cherie]

lol ffs, it's a no for me anyway, her dad can buy her an ice-cream :laugh:

same

[Livia]

Imagine if she was an American girl who wore a USA flag in the USA, or an Irish girl who wore the Irish flag in Ireland, or a French girl who wore the French flag in France.

[Crimson Dynamo]

:clap1:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GwEXwVlXkAA1z2X?format=jpg&name=small

[Liam-]

The man who was the face of a group of racist thugs which knowingly housed countless numbers of child sex offenders, grooming a child to perform for his horde of knuckle draggers, nauseating

[BBXX]

It's giving indoctrination.

I hope when she's older she looks back at the way her Dad thrust her into the public limelight to act as a puppet for his political bias to perform for someone like Tommy Robinson and she disowns them. Truly ****ing gross.

[Crimson Dynamo]

It's giving indoctrination.

I hope when she's older she looks back at the way her Dad thrust her into the public limelight to act as a puppet for his political bias to perform for someone like Tommy Robinson and she disowns them. Truly ****ing gross.

oh dear, what utter tosh :laugh:


You hope a child disowns her parents?


just wow :shocked:

[Livia]

oh dear, what utter tosh :laugh:


You hope a child disowns her parents?


just wow :shocked:

Poisonous, isn't it.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Poisonous, isn't it.

not very inclusive i must say

[BBXX]

oh dear, what utter tosh :laugh:


You hope a child disowns her parents?


just wow :shocked:

Parents aren’t owed a lifetime of loyalty by their children if they’re bad parents. If I found out my parents thrust me into the public sphere for reputational, monetary and political reasons and allowed me to be the poster girl(boy) of a future generation of people who look up to Tommy Robinson, I would be outta there.

Regardless of what your thoughts are on the initial situation between the girl and her school, anyone with a modicum of sense can see how it has progressed is weird and manipulative. Anyone who doesn’t either has the intelligence of a sandcastle or they just don’t want to admit it. I highly suspect it’s the latter.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Bilton School ladies and gentlemen...





Bilton School @BiltonSchool

June is Pride Month; these are some of the LGBTQIA+ books available from Bilton School library

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gs_oJWDW8AACijZ?format=jpg&name=small

[BBXX]

Bilton School ladies and gentlemen...


Bilton School @BiltonSchool

June is Pride Month; these are some of the LGBTQIA+ books available from Bilton School library

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gs_oJWDW8AACijZ?format=jpg&name=small

This is going to be super helpful for kids questioning their sexuality. Wish I had this education available at my school, would have made my teenage years so much easier.

Thanks for sharing.

[Livia]

Everything is a okay to be shared, everyone is included... except a British girl wearing a British flag and singing the praises of Britain. In that case, her parents should lose her forever.

[BBXX]

Everything is a okay to be shared, everyone is included... except a British girl wearing a British flag and singing the praises of Britain. In that case, her parents should lose her forever.

Please don't deliberately misrepresent my opinion. Where did I say they should lose her forever for here wearing of a dress?

Parents manipulating her, putting her in front of national press, and on a stage in front of a hoard of Tommy Robinson fanbois is despicable parenting and creating a completely unsafe, inappropriate environment for their child.

If I grew up to find out my parents used me in such a way for such nefarious reasons when I was 12 years old, I would probably think about limiting contact.

My opinion has nothing to do with the Britishness, either. I am English, my parents are English, my grandparents are English, so are my great grandparents.

Also, I have a question - this school is going to be majority British students. How many other British students wore traditional British clothing and got sent home? Seems like she was the only one. Why. How strange. Even weirder that within 24 hours it's been organised for her to give speeches at far-right rallies and GoFundMe campaigns have been set up in her honour. Crazy(!)

[Crimson Dynamo]

Parents manipulating her, putting her in front of national press, and on a stage in front of a hoard of Tommy Robinson fanbois is despicable parenting and creating a completely unsafe, inappropriate environment for their child.



This is hugely exaggerated pearl clutching for goodness sake.

I get you despise TR but dragging a child and her parents along for the ride is not nice at all :shocked:

[BBXX]

This is hugely exaggerated pearl clutching for goodness sake.

I get you despise TR but dragging a child and her parents along for the ride is not nice at all :shocked:

Firstly, it's literally the chain of events.

I am not dragging the child at all, none of this is her fault. Her parents, however, are grim. The school ****ed up, evidently. That is true, but it can also be true the Dad is a EDL fan who is using this situation for his benefit and using his daughter as bait.

I implore anybody to answer me this. If you had a 12 year old daughter, why would you let her speak at a rally organised by a man who describes women who don't want children as lonely, evil, barren, dried up misandrists.

Your outrage at me "not being nice" while staying silent on Tommy Robinson is an absolute joke.

[Mystic Mock]

It's not clear at all. Maybe you can't think about writing and thinking like that as a 12 year old, but she's a grade A student. A very intelligent 12 year old.

They will have been learning about culture in class, as this sounds very much like an end of module project to me. I find your comments distasteful, and dismissive of the intelligence of this girl.

I'm with Glenn on this.

And I'm not dismissing her intellect at all, I'm just being realistic about her maturity level.

12 Year olds don't generally write letters that sound like they're coming from a 32 year old.

If I'm wrong, then Tottenham Hotspur will win the Premier League this season, that's how confident I am that the speech was written by one of the parents.

[Cherie]

I'm with Glenn on this.

And I'm not dismissing her intellect at all, I'm just being realistic about her maturity level.

12 Year olds don't generally write letters that sound like they're coming from a 32 year old.

If I'm wrong, then Tottenham Hotspur will win the Premier League this season, that's how confident I am that the speech was written by one of the parents.

Sigh

[Mystic Mock]

Please will someone explain to me what was racist about her speech? Anyone?

I don't personally think that it was racist.

[Mystic Mock]

Sigh

What's wrong with what I've said?

Think back to when you were 12 years old at School? And all of your classmates for that matter, would any of you write a speech like that?

That should tell you all you need to know.

[Cherie]

What's wrong with what I've said?

Think back to when you were 12 years old at School? And all of your classmates for that matter, would any of you write a speech like that?

That should tell you all you need to know.

Its not exactly War and Peace ...is it now ...cant see what the issue with it is myself, no language used that would be beyond the capabilities of a 12 year old

[Mystic Mock]

Its not exactly War and Peace ...is it now ...cant see what the issue with it is myself, no language used that would be beyond the capabilities of a 12 year old

I never said that it was War And Peace.

Just that the letter was written from the views of an adult, which for some reason people on here are trying to deny the most likely outcome.

I'm not even saying that the speech was even that bad personally, but there was clearly a bit of brushing up coming from the Dad by the looks of it.

And taking her to a Tommy Robinson event gives even more evidence to the fact that the Dad helped write his Daughter's speech.

[BBXX]

Her Dad has admitted the speech was written by chatGPT, so no, she didn’t write it (explains why it sounds like I wasn’t written by a 12 year old) but nor did the Dad (explains why it says some positive stuff about other cultures)

Wonder what prompt they put in…

[Mystic Mock]

Her Dad has admitted the speech was written by chatGPT, so no, she didn’t write it (explains why it sounds like I wasn’t written by a 12 year old) but nor did the Dad (explains why it says some positive stuff about other cultures)

Wonder what prompt they put in…

It makes sense I suppose.

I knew it wasn't written by a 12 year old though, you can always tell the difference in writing between a child and an adult.

And today's teens will probably say about immigration being "fire.":joker:

[Vicky.]

The school on question had to close today because of threats and extremist abuse..

[Crimson Dynamo]

Her Dad has admitted the speech was written by chatGPT, so no, she didn’t write it (explains why it sounds like I wasn’t written by a 12 year old) but nor did the Dad (explains why it says some positive stuff about other cultures)

Wonder what prompt they put in…

Did you provide a link for that info, Beso asked you earlier?

aploz if you did

[Crimson Dynamo]

The school on question had to close today because of threats and extremist abuse..

bet the kids were stoked!

[Livia]

The school on question had to close today because of threats and extremist abuse..

While I'm not down with abuse over the phone etc. I am not surprised that in this letter, the school has completely omitted the reason why people are angry.

[BBXX]

Did you provide a link for that info, Beso asked you earlier?

aploz if you did

I read about it yesterday...I've since looked but I think he's wiped his Facebook and most of his twitter, so no I cannot prove it, unfortunately.

However run the speech through any AI generator and it comes back with between 56%-100% of it being A.I generated, so I stand firm in my belief it's A.I generated.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I read about it yesterday...I've since looked but I think he's wiped his Facebook and most of his twitter, so no I cannot prove it, unfortunately.

However run the speech through any AI generator and it comes back with between 56%-100% of it being A.I generated, so I stand firm in my belief it's A.I generated.

So it just a belief, ok. I mean full marks to the girl if she is using AI at 12. Its a pity the person who instigated the special day - Mz Ansell the "Culture & Wellbeing co-ordinator" has been a bit sharper...

[BBXX]

While we're asking for ownership, any further commentary on the clashing of opinion that it's "removing childhood" and "risking the vulnerable" by allowing 16 year olds to be politically involved voting, but it's fine for 12 year olds to make speeches at far-right political rallies led by a criminal who called women barren, dried up and vile because they choose to not have children or get into relationships.

[Livia]

Love how this kid and her Dad are now the monsters in this story. It's very... Left Wing TiBB.

[BBXX]

So it just a belief, ok. I mean full marks to the girl if she is using AI at 12. Its a pity the person who instigated the special day - Mz Ansell the "Culture & Wellbeing co-ordinator" has been a bit sharper...

Asks me to prove she's using A.I even though if I did (which I appreciate I didn't) your response would be = full marks to her.

If she used AI = great
If she didn't = great

It's almost like whatever the answer, it wouldn't sway your opinion. So why are you getting hung on whether she did or didn't? Your mind isn't going to be changed. :shrug:

[BBXX]

Love how this kid and her Dad are now the monsters in this story. It's very... Left Wing TiBB.

She's not the monster at all. I've said it's not her fault, I've said the school ****ed up and I've said her dad is using her and this opportunity in a gross way.

If you want to latch on to a one aspect of that and pretend it's all I'm saying then fine but don't pass it off as true.

Love how you've not mentioned one single thing about how a father is leading his daughter to speak at the rally led by an out-and-out misogynist. It's very.... not giving a **** about women after all.

[BBXX]

While I'm not down with abuse over the phone etc.

"The headteacher deserves a bit of abuse" - Livia, 2025

Gotta love how people show they care for the safety of women.... :conf:

[Cherie]

"The headteacher deserves a bit of abuse" - Livia, 2025

Gotta love how people show they care for the safety of women.... :conf:

What part of I'm not down with abuse are you correlating with not caring for the safety of women, its really sad how this story has progressed, but maybe if people stepped back from it and let it runs it course into obscurity instead of stalking the Dad on FB and Twitter and reporting everything as if he was some kind of monster, its not monstrous to love your country, only in England is it frowned upon go to any other country in Europe and you will never come across how people in England are treated if they so much as say I love being English, its pretty bizarre

[BBXX]

What part of I'm not down with abuse are you correlating with not caring for the safety of women...

The bit where she said the head teacher deserves a bit of abuse beforehand.

Anyway, I am done with this subject. I'm exhausted.

[Livia]

What part of I'm not down with abuse are you correlating with not caring for the safety of women, its really sad how this story has progressed, but maybe if people stepped back from it and let it runs it course into obscurity instead of stalking the Dad on FB and Twitter and reporting everything as if he was some kind of monster, its not monstrous to love your country, only in England is it frowned upon go to any other country in Europe and you will never come across how people in England are treated if they so much as say I love being English, its pretty bizarre

100% agree with your post. And in my own defence, I wasn't actually aware the head teacher was a woman. Not that I've changed my mind...

[Vicky.]

bet the kids were stoked!

Indeed :laugh: