THE school at the centre of a row over a Union Jack dress has been forced to close early over “extremist threats to staff”.
Earlier this week Courtney Wright, 12, claimed she was unable to “celebrate her British identity at school” while wearing the dress inspired by Spice Girl Geri Horner.
Wright attends Bilton School in Rugby, with staff later apologising and inviting Wright to come back in her dress and read a speech about why British culture was important to her.
We previously told how a convicted fraudster and far-right media outlet from Wales set up a crowdfunder for Wright.
Her father, Stuart Field, 47, has since appeared in newspaper and television interviews speaking about British culture, with Tommy Robinson asking his daughter to speak at an upcoming event in London, wearing the dress.
And now, LBC reports that the school has sent a letter to parents on Thursday to say that the school would be closed earlier than normal for the summer holidays “in the interests of student and staff safety”.
The school was due to open for a half day.
“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 states.
“The nature and tone of this abuse has escalated in recent days including personal threats to staff.
“Our primary responsibility remains the safety and wellbeing of every child and member of staff.
"This is not a decision we have taken lightly… the safety of our school community must come first.”
We previously told how Voice of Wales, a far-right media outlet run by Dan Morgan and Stan Robinson, has set up a GoFundMe page, raising more than £2200 with 154 donations at the time of writing.
The crowdfunder said that the funds will go to Wright so “this proud young lady can treat herself to something nice”.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said: "We are vetting this campaign and remain in control of the funds until it is clear they will go to the right place."
