A SCHOOL has been overwhelmed by messages of support after one of its teachers was attacked in a racist poison pen letter.

The letter about the female Muslim teacher at Honley Infant and Nursery School sparked controversy when it was sent to Kirklees Council and chairman of the school's governing body, the Rev David Barnes, last week.

The letter claimed it was unsuitable for a Muslim teacher to be at a Church of England school "in the current climate".

It also alleged that her presence could lead to the erosion of Christianity and festivals such as Christmas at the school.

The anonymous writer claimed to represent a group of parents.

But many parents have come forward to publicly give the teacher their full backing.

And headteacher Christine Lancaster said the school has been overwhelmed by messages of support from people.

She said: "We have not had a single message supporting the person who sent the letter.

"Yet we have been inundated with people giving the school and the teacher their full support, which has restored our faith in human nature. It has really heartened us and helped us to get over this.

"We are so grateful that so many people have taken the trouble to be so kind. Many parents have come to see me and said they are fully behind the teacher.

"And again this morning, I have a pile of letters on my desk from people expressing support.

"Honley is a lovely, caring school and the teacher is a real asset to the school."

The teacher - who does not want to talk publicly about the issue - has been at the school for 12 months. Parents says she is talented and caring.

Jeanette Dyson, of Honley, has a daughter in Year 1.

She said: "This teacher taught my daughter in the early years unit last year.

"She is a caring individual, an excellent teacher and absolutely brilliant with the children.

"I was disgusted by the letter. The biggest insult was that the writer was claiming to represent the parents at Honley. That's blatantly untrue. The first most of us heard of it was when we saw the article in the Examiner.

"I was astonished that something like that would be said by anyone with children at the school. It's so narrow-minded. I haven't come across anybody who agreed with the letter."

Mrs Dyson said she is hoping her daughter will end up in the teacher's class again as she moves up through the school.

She said: "We are crying out for good teachers in this country. For people to do this to someone who is a great teacher is outrageous.

"I am really pleased that the majority of people have come out in support of the teacher. I hope she knows that those who support her out-number those who do not by a long way."