“Lets not loose track of the real issue hear, Paul Halfyard has invented this as worthy of debate amongst his children, it¿s his baby nobody else¿s. He is posing the question to very young impressionable junior school children in an English school in England whether or not it is right to celebrate our national day. This pompous expression of self importance feeds into the hands of the extreme right in this country. This kind of story is grist to the mill for the BNP and outrages normally rational people. By all means debate our history, warts and all in history lessons but to question whether or not we should celebrate our national day is quite frankly insulting. I think Halfyard just about sums this Politically Correct prat up nicely. If I had a child in Halfyards class it would not be there after this.”

“Pupil Khadeja Mohammed (eight) said: "I think it's a really good idea to put up the flags," she said.... Ah the pupil teaches the PC brigade a lesson in common sense”

“"Twenty of the pupils were in favour of marking the event and 10 were against."

Oh dear, Nanny won't be pleased. Seems the NuLab indoctrination machine is only 33% effective.”

“You have a point, I have never heard anyone complain about flying it. But what really grates me is that it is generally the right wingers who complain. By this they say 'we can't because people will get offended, tree hugging lefties say so etc etc', but no one ever actually tries personally to fly the flag and have never actually been told not to. They just get angry about something that has never happened but what they think will happen and then prattle on about their natural enemy the 'PC Brigade' whoever they are. I for one am patriotic, which means being proud in my country, however for a number of people it means then putting down other countries. I will always celebrate St George as patron St of England, Germany, Portugal, Georgia etc and even on the coat of arm in Moscow. However I still feel more British than English.”

“Anyone ever noticed how nobody ever steps up and says that they personally are offended by things such as celebrating St George's day. It's always some unsubstantiated and vague suggestion by right on, lefty tree-huggers that some unnamed third party or parties might not like it. Even if (for some strange reason) there are people who would find a country celebrating its patron saint's day offensive, then tough. We don't hear this pathetic and unnecessary debate being rolled out every time St Patrick's, David's or Andrew's day come around. Or Diwali for that matter.”

“"it may offend others"

Only the PC Gestapo, and does anyone really care what they say anyway?
"Mr Halfyard said they were encouraged to do their own research and form their own arguments."
If that`s the case, all well and good.
What does slightly worry me is as the subject of St George has been politicised in certain quarters, I wouldn`t like to think children of this age could be indoctrinated, either way. Teaching, by it`s very nature, is prone to lead to a teacher`s own views weighting the subject one way or the other. Especially as at this age they are very easily led.”

“They shouldnt be given an option!
THIS IS ENGLAND, WERE ENGLISH!!
If people find it offensive, dont look.”