A teacher has been suspended from Batley Grammar school in West Yorkshire after showing derogatory caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in class.
Angry parents have been protesting outside the school gates on Thursday after a message inciting them to rally against the offensive teaching resource was spread last night.
A group of around 50 parents and community figures remain congregated outside the gates this afternoon as the school released a new statement signed by the headteacher, Gary Kibble.
The statement said: "The school unequivocally apologises for using a totally inappropriate resource in a recent religious studies lesson. The member of staff has also given their most sincere apologies.
"We have immediately withdrawn teaching on this part of the course and we are reviewing how we go forward with the support of all the communities represented in our school.
"It is important for children to learn about faith and beliefs, but this must be done in a sensitive way.
"The member of staff has been suspended pending an independent formal investigation."
"The school is working closely with the governing board and community leaders to help resolve the situation."
The school delayed starting the school day until 10am over the "disturbance" and advised pupils to stay home until then.
Police have cordoned off the scene and are at every entrance of the school, Yorkshire Live reports.
Commenting on the situation, a woman in her 30s with a child at the school said: "We are continuing to wait outside the school to try and speak to the headteacher, we want to hear what he has to say.
"He needs to come out, explain what happened, apologise for it and tell us how he will make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
"We feel like he's hiding away and that's not good enough, he needs to show his face.
"A lot of us have questions for him about how this ever happened in the first place, something clearly went very wrong.
"This image is so offensive to us and, in my opinion, there is no way it could have been part of the curriculum.
"What happened is very dangerous and we need answers."
A statement by West Yorkshire Police said: "We are aware of a small demonstration at the school, which is still ongoing.
"Local neighbourhood officers are in attendance."
