“This Is About More Than a Book”: Parents FightBack After Budmouth Academy Bans The Hate U Give

A growing number of parents, former pupils, and education advocates are speaking out after
Budmouth Academy in Weymouth banned The Hate U Give, the award-winning novel by Angie
Thomas — from its Year 10 reading list. The school’s decision, made earlier this month, followed a
formal complaint from a parent who argued that the book’s politically charged themes and explicit
Language was inappropriate for 14- and 15-year-old students.
But for many in the community, the removal of the book goes beyond questions of
age-appropriateness. It’s about representation, educational freedom, and whether a single parent’s
objection should dictate what an entire class can read.

The Decision That Sparked a Backlash

Budmouth Academy confirmed in mid-September that it had dropped The Hate U Give after
receiving a complaint from a parent, former councillor James Farquharson, who claimed the book paints white people as villains and promotes what he called “identity politics” and “Marxist ideology.” The school
said it had reviewed the content and felt other books were better suited to the Year 10 curriculum.
The novel, a bestseller that follows a Black teenager who witnesses the police shooting of her
unarmed friend, is widely praised for tackling issues of systemic racism, police brutality, and
activism. It has been taught in classrooms around the world and received multiple literary awards.
Although the book remains available to older students at Budmouth, it has been removed from the
curriculum, a move that has drawn swift criticism from many parents and teachers.

A Petition, A Movement

Parent Vicky McNab, whose two children currently attend the school, and two others are alumni. launched a petition calling on Budmouth Academy to reinstate “The Hate U Give” in the classroom
teaching. Her Change.org petition, titled “Reinstate ‘The Hate U Give’ in Budmouth Academy
Classrooms” quickly gained traction online, gathering hundreds of signatures and sparking
debate across social media.
“This isn’t just about a book,” McNab said in a public statement. “It’s about making sure
our children are exposed to different perspectives and voices, even when those stories are
uncomfortable.”
Her daughter Marli, a former Budmouth student, expressed disappointment at the school’s decision,
saying it betrayed the inclusive values she once associated with the institution.
“I was proud to go to a school that encouraged critical thinking and diversity of thought,”
She said. “Now it feels like one parent’s discomfort has erased a valuable opportunity for
others.”

Dividing Opinion

The controversy has revealed deep divisions over the role of literature in schools and the line
between age-appropriateness and censorship.
Supporters of the ban argue that schools have a duty to protect students from explicit content and
ideologically “divisive” material. Some point to the book’s use of profanity and depiction of law
enforcement as potentially harmful.
But critics say shielding students from the realities portrayed in The Hate U Give does more harm
than good.
“Books like this open the door to empathy, understanding, and meaningful dialogue,” said
one parent who signed the petition. “We do our kids no favours by pretending these issues
don’t exist.”
Educators and authors have also weighed in, warning that removing diverse voices from the classroom sends the wrong message, especially to students from minority backgrounds.

Broader Implications

This is not the first time The Hate U Give has been targeted. The novel has faced challenges in
several schools across the UK and the US, often for its unflinching look at racial injustice. But critics
of Budmouth Academy’s decision say this latest ban is part of a troubling pattern.
“When we start removing books because they make us uncomfortable, we risk turning
schools into echo chambers,” said a local teacher who wished to remain anonymous. “We
should be equipping students to think critically, not shielding them from reality.”
Some are also concerned about the precedent being set. Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman
Another book on Budmouth’s reading list, dealing with urban violence and youth culture, is
reportedly also under review following similar complaints.

What Comes Next?

So far, Budmouth Academy has stood by its decision. In a statement to Dorset News, the school
said it remains committed to “broadening students’ horizons” and will continue to review its
curriculum based on “age-appropriateness and community values.”
But with public pressure mounting, the petition gaining momentum, and national media attention
Now focused on the case, Budmouth may soon be forced to reconsider its decision.
For Vicky McNab and others, the message is clear: books like The Hate U Give are essential not
despite their complexity, but because of it.
“We can’t raise the next generation to change the world,” she says, “if we’re too afraid to
let them read about it.”
To support the petition or learn more, visit:
https://www.change.org/p/reinstate-the-hate-u-give-in-budmouth-academy-classrooms