Several parents have collected their children from Ferndown Upper School today following unsubstantiated social media rumours that a student had brought a knife into school.
In an email, parents and carers were told the claim was not true, with the school adding that it will investigate the source of the rumour and address the matter appropriately.
The school said the item is an ornamental symbol of faith, and is “short, blunt and curved”, with no sharp edges, and secured so it cannot be easily accessed or removed.
In the message, Deputy Headteacher and DSL Jo Taylor said Ferndown Upper School has Sikh students who observe the Five Ks, described as articles of faith that are important to the Sikh religion.
Sikh students have been wearing the Kirpan at Ferndown Upper School for more than 10 years, with “no reported incidents or concerns”.
One of these is the Kirpan, and the school said it understood that, given recent national events, the subject may be “a particularly sensitive topic” at this time.
Families were told that before any religious accommodation is permitted in school, “a thorough risk assessment is undertaken”, including in relation to the Kirpan.
Staff are sharing the message with students in lessons, and pupils who want to learn more or ask questions can speak with key members of staff at lunchtime today or tomorrow.
Ferndown Upper School has been contacted for more information but had not replied at the time of publication. Dorset Police tells Bournemouth One they have no record of any incidents or complaints regarding the school today.
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