School apologizes for disciplining Christian teacher who shared views about homosexuality

A school in Cornwall, England has apologized to a teaching assistant on Monday for issuing a disciplinary warning after she answered a student's question about homosexuality.

Victoria Allen, 51, planned to go to an employment tribunal to challenge the disciplinary action issued against her by the Brannel School in St. Austell, but the two parties reached an agreement without any intervention, Christian News reported.

In a video released by Christian Concern, Allen narrated that she was asked three questions related to homosexuality by one of the pupils at the school.

"The first question was about same-sex relationships. The second question was whether the rainbow meant the same or something different. The third question was whether I believed what the pope believed," she recalled.

She said that she responded to all three questions according to her Christian beliefs and the student appeared to be satisfied with her answers.

The next day, Allen was informed that someone had filed a complaint against her and she had been placed under investigation. She was told that her duties at the school would be suspended and she would only be allowed to interact with the children under the supervision of another adult.

The investigation resulted in a disciplinary action against Allen. According to a report from the BBC, Allen and the school spent the day at Bodmin Magistrates' Court to work out an agreement.

Upon reaching an agreement, a joint statement was released, declaring that the head teacher, Andy Edmonds, "recognised Victoria Allen's right to share her Christian beliefs with students and has apologised for any upset that Victoria Allen may have felt during the disciplinary process."

Allen stated outside the court that she was made to "feel like a criminal" for expressing her beliefs. She said that the student asked her a direct question about her religious beliefs and she felt obliged to give a proper response.

"We know that there are lots of people who disagree with the Biblical view of marriage and they are free to disagree," said Libby Powell of the Christian Legal Centre, which supported Allen.

"What we want to say is that there has to be space for the other point of view, Vicky's point of view, to be there as well," she added.