Group linked to Scientology visit Newington Green school

A parent has spoken out after a primary school brought in a group linked with Scientologists to teach her 10-year-old child about drugs.

St Jude and St Paul’s Primary School, in Kingsbury Road, Newington Green, arranged for Narconon to come in to teach the Year 6 pupils about the dangers of drug abuse before the end of term.

Narconon offer drug and rehabilitation services based on the writings of L Ron Hubbard, the man who inspired Scientology – a religion famously followed by Tom Cruise. But critics claim Narconon’s rehab centres are used to help recruit people to the controversial church.

Amanda Steele, 30, only found out that her 10-year-old son Vincent had been taught by the group when she found some of its literature in his schoolbag.

She said: “I couldn’t believe the school would get people like this in to talk to the children. All the parents I have spoken to are horrified – they want to know how this was allowed to happen.

“It’s a faith school, so why not get someone from the church to do this?”

Michelle Davies, who works for Narcanon, said: “The main link with Scientology is they are both inspired by the work of L Ron Hubbard, and they advocate the same life skills.

“There is no spiritual aspect to Narconon whatsoever and the centres are completely separate to Scientology churches.

“In the whole time I have been with them I have only met two or three people who have become Scientologists.”

No one from the school was available for comment.

The council said it was unable to comment as they had no record of what drug advisory services primary school children in Islington are exposed to.