Earlier this year Government announced plans to send a copy of the film to secondary schools, together with Defra-produced videos on climate science, as part of an educational pack.

The pack was due to be sent to 3,500 schools and was aimed at Key Stage 3 pupils, aged 11 to 14.

A truck driver and school governor from Kent, Stewart Dimmock, is now fighting the plan, arguing that showing children the film amounts to indoctrination.

“I wish my children to have the best education possible, free from bias and political spin and Mr Gore’s film falls far short of the standard required,” he said.

“Climate change is important but it should be taught to children in a neutral and measured manner. Indoctrinating school children in this manner is unprecedented and unacceptable.”

While the vast majority of scientists accept that rapid climate change is a reality, the debate about the degree to which mankind is responsible is ongoing.

The court case begun last Thursday, September 27, with Mr Dimmock’s lawyer arguing that the film contained a number of serious scientific inaccuracies and promotes a particular political viewpoint.

The Education Act prohibits the political indoctrination of children in the classroom.

The act has never been used to challenge Government education policy in the courts before.

Mr Dimmock’s court action is being backed by the New Party, a political party which argues for greater personal freedoms and less Government control.

Sam Bond

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