A school faces backlash from parents after it said it removed all Christmas references from a pantomime performance for pupils and parents to make them feel “safe and valued”. The Telegraph has the story.
Mandy Ovenden, the head teacher of Wherwell Primary School in Andover in Hampshire, caused anger among parents earlier this month when she prohibited any reference of the festive season from a Jack and The Beanstalk show to accommodate all religions of those attending.
Parents at the school branded the decision “crazy”. A spokesman for the school, which is rated outstanding by Ofsted, has defended its decision by saying it wanted to ensure that all pupils and their families felt both “safe” and “valued”.
Wherwell Primary School said: “When we chose to invite the travelling pantomime to Wherwell, our request was a practical step to ensure all children at the school would be able to attend and enjoy the show.
“Our aim, as always, is to foster inclusivity in our school community, and be a place where children and their families feel safe, welcomed and valued.”
In a letter dated Nov 6, Mrs Ovendon said she was “very excited” to invite parents to the production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
“The performance will take place in the school hall and children should wear school uniform, as usual please,” she wrote. “We have requested that the show contain no reference to Christmas.”
Parents said the decision “shouldn’t be allowed” and argued that they can’t “eradicate” any reference to the festive season so “a few people will not be offended”, it was reported.
Mrs Ovendon said that as the pantomime was not a Christmas event, all 126 children at the school should be able to attend, including those whose parents usually prevent them from attending festive events on religious grounds.
In a letter dated Nov 6, Mrs Ovendon said she was “very excited” to invite parents to the production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
“The performance will take place in the school hall and children should wear school uniform, as usual please,” she wrote. “We have requested that the show contain no reference to Christmas.”
Parents said the decision “shouldn’t be allowed” and argued that they can’t “eradicate” any reference to the festive season so “a few people will not be offended”, it was reported.
Mrs Ovendon said that as the pantomime was not a Christmas event, all 126 children at the school should be able to attend, including those whose parents usually prevent them from attending festive events on religious grounds.
The head teacher defended her decision in an additional letter to parents, writing: “Discussion with the panto company revealed that Christmas songs were included in the performance.
The traditional tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is being staged by Essex-based Chaplins Pantos.
A spokesman for Chaplins said they usually include references to Christmas in their shows but were asked by Wherwell Primary School to remove them.
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