Anger as school bans all parents from sports day

A SCHOOL has banned all pupils’ parents from its sports day – amid fears of some attacking teachers.

The crackdown was announced after some mothers and fathers recently acted in an ‘intimidating and aggressive manner’ towards staff.

Security at Howard Junior School in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, was increased after two incidents were reported to police in the past month. Headteacher Gregory Hill wrote to parents: ‘This decision has not been taken lightly and is a real shame for the children but we need to guarantee the safety of our staff and pupils.

‘Some of you will have noticed a police and security presence at school. This has resulted from the actions of an extremely small minority of parents who have taken it upon themselves to threaten staff in an intimidating and aggressive manner.’

Angry mother Jade Kennett called the decision an ‘absolute joke’. And Hannah Palfrey said: ‘Completely understand having the parents who have a history of aggression banned – but not all of the innocent parties too!’

Norfolk Police said a ‘low-level’ incident in June had been resolved. Officers are investigating another incident that happened this week. The school was rated ‘good’ after its 2013 Ofsted inspection.

Priya Dutta, of the Campaign For Real Education, said: ‘Abuse from parents must never be tolerated but banning all parents from attending is not the solution.’

The Mail asked Apollo Academies Trust for a comment but it did not respond.