A SCHOOL trip to a mosque went ahead despite resistance from some parents.

The trip was backed by a local vicar who accompanied the children after hearing that some parents from Kempsey Primary School were reluctant to allow youngsters to go.

59 children from years 3 and 4 at the school went to the mosque in Tallow Hill, Worcester, to learn about Islam.

The children were able to look around and saw a demonstration of a call to prayer as part of a topic where they compared how different faiths worked in the community.

Parents of eight children withdrew their children from the visit, which they are allowed to do by law.

Governor Jan Venables from the school also went on the trip to show support.

Headteacher Bryony Baynes said: "There was some concern from parents about visiting a mosque.

"But we are very much about talking about other religions and faiths and educating our children in that so we carried on."

"It was great because our local vicar Mark Badger, when he heard there was a bit of resistance to it, he felt so strongly that he cancelled a meeting and he and his curates came along on the trip.

"It was a real demonstration of faiths working together."

Mrs Baynes said: "The welcome they received in the mosque was really warm and heartfelt so that was great.

"They showed them around and were very hospitable.

"The children loved the experience of covering their heads to show respect.

"They came back buzzing about it."

She added: "I think potentially people are afraid of the unknown and potentially people listen to the news and then they generalise it.

"From personal experience, I'm American and I have experience of people saying all Americans are loud, all Americans eat burgers.

"I think people let that generalisation and their fear overwhelm them.

"It's really important to us in this school to make sure we visit mosques or temples or cathedrals so they meet and respect people from other cultures, races and beliefs."

Haris Saleem, chairman of Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, said: "It's up to the school and the children and the parents.

"It's not a problem if they don't want to visit but if they do want to come they are welcome.

"The mosque is open for everybody.

"They can visit, they can observe us praying, whatever they want to know about, there's no restriction.

"It's about understanding each other and showing the children different faiths.

"My own children go to the temples and churches to visit to understand what the differences are."

The same group of pupils also visited St Mary's Church in Kempsey for their faith in community topic.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE lessons and acts of collective worship under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. They do not have to give a reason for the withdrawal.