Protest held at school after assault

About 200 people attended the protest at the Belfast Model School for Girls on Thursday

BBC A group of parents and guardians outside the school gates with blue signs. — About 200 people attended the protest at the Belfast Model School for Girls on Thursday

About 200 people protested outside a post-primary school in north Belfast on Thursday.

Police have previously said there was an attack on the Belfast Model School for Girls is being investigated as a hate crime.

Parents at the protest told BBC News NI they were concerned about the safety of their children at the school.

The Education Authority (EA) has confirmed that they are working with the school and the PSNI “to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils”.

On the green metal gates is a blue sign that reads 'Keep our children safe at school'. — A sign was placed on the school gate

In a letter to parents on Wednesday, the school said it was “aware of several claims circulating on social media.”

Parents’ support was requested to help stop the spread of such information.

In a statement, the EA also said that “contrary to some reports, there is no evidence to support inaccurate claims or fears expressed on social media about the safety of students at school”.

Belfast Model School for Girls is a large school with over 1000 students.

It has previously won a School of Sanctuary award for its work.

A School of Sanctuary Award is given to schools that are “a welcoming place for students and their families, where every child feels safe and fully accepted.”

Jan told BBC News NI that she came to the protest at the school “to protect my daughter”.

“There is bullying at school,” she says.

‘We want answers to questions’

Some attendees held posters outside the school gates

Pacemaker Three parents/guardians are depicted holding two posters in their arms. The first lady with long blonde hair appears to be talking to someone. Meanwhile, the man and the other woman hold signs. — Some attendees held posters outside the school gates

Meanwhile, Joy, who has a granddaughter at the school, said she had asked to go to a meeting with the school principal.

“What is the school and the education and library board doing to protect our children because that is clearly not enough or there would not be people here,” she added.

She said more communication from the school could reduce speculation about the incident on social media.

“That’s really why we’re here to ask the questions,” she said.

“Parents would worry less and have much more confidence if they sent their children to school knowing whether they were actually in a safe environment.

“We want questions answered.”

‘We must find out the truth’

Kingston attended the protest to speak with parents and guardians in attendance

A close-up of Kingston. He has short gray hair, wears glasses and a navy blue suit. — Kingston attended the protest to speak with parents and guardians in attendance

Brian Kingston, the DUP MLA from North Belfast, was at the protest to speak to those in attendance.

“Parents are here because they are concerned about the safety of their daughters at school,” he said.

“There was a physical incident that I understand occurred on the playground here on Tuesday involving four students.

“Unfortunately, there is a crisis of confidence in the safety of the students.”

He also said there had been a lot of “claims and speculation on social media”.

“We will also need to have engagement between the school and the school community to rebuild trust,” Kingston said.

“First and foremost, we need to get to the truth because people have their own version of the truth.”