article_snippet: Pupils at a primary school were banned from watching today's once-in-a-generation eclipse because of 'religious and cultural reasons', it has emerged.
article_snippet: Parents of children at North Primary School  said Parents of children at North Primary School   were 'outraged' by the decision to ban children from watching the eclipse, pictured is Mohammed Babar with Mohammed Babar daughter Zahra, five, and neice Noreen, seven . '
article_snippet: Pupils at North Primary School in Southall, London, were banned from watching today's once-in-a-generation eclipse because of 'religious and cultural reasons' Phil Belman, whose seven-year-old daughter goes to North Primary School, said the 'last-minute' decision by the school was like 'going back to the dark ages' North Primary School, situated in the Mount Pleasant ward of Southall in Ealing, was rated 'outstanding' in the 'last-minute' decision by the school last Ofsted report in March 2013.
article_snippet: Mr Johnstone admitted pupils had been prevented from watching the first solar eclipse of this century after 'religious and cultural concerns associated with observing one directly' were raised.
article_snippet: Headteacher Ivor Johnstone said: 'North Primary School made the decision when we became aware of religious and cultural concerns associated with observing an eclipse directly. '
article_snippet: Although we are sorry for any disappointment, pupils were still able to watch the eclipse on screens in classrooms.
article_snippet: Ealing Council confirmed the pupils were not allowed out of the pupils classrooms but said the pupils were able to see the eclipse on TV screens.
article_snippet: A spokesman said Ealing Council was currently investigating the claims and asked North Primary School for further clarification about why the children were prevented from watching the eclipse.
article_snippet: Parents of children at North Primary School in Southall, London, said Parents of children at North Primary School in Southall, London were 'outraged' by the decision to prevent children from watching the eclipse the eclipse .
article_snippet: The news from Southall comes after The news from Southall emerged that school children across the country were forced to watch the eclipse on TV due to safety fears.
article_snippet: Isabel Stevenson, a mother-of-four from Glasgow, added: 'So not happy about secondary school my kids go to doing NOTHING for solar eclipse tomorrow!
highlights_snippet: Pupils at North Primary School in London banned from watching eclipse .
  