A step too far?

A local primary school has arranged for their Year 4 and Year 6 pupils (not sure what happened to Year 5) to attend a "workshop on Islam" at a local University. You may think this is a laudable enterprise, or a waste of time, but whether you are in favour or not, I think you would be appalled to learn that the school has written to the parents of the children involved to say that attendance is compulsory (and costs £5 by the way!) and any non-attendance "will result in a Racial Discrimination note being attached to your child's education record, which will remain on this file throughout their school career."  Furthermore, any child claiming to be sick will have to get a GP's certificate in support.  Not surprisingly this has produced cries of outrage from some parents, and apparently the school are rethinking their stance. I should think so too!