Increasing numbers of schools are banning parents from nativity plays
(Picture: PA)Headteachers are taking the flak for cancelling Christmas plays because the Government has not issued clear guidance, school leaders have warned.
Increasing numbers of schools are banning parents from nativity plays and cancelling Christmas fairs and trips because of Covid outbreaks or fears of the new variant.
The Government said it has not told schools to cancel activities, but has left it to headteachers to make judgements.
School leaders said this means headteachers are now under intense pressure from parents who want to attend nativity plays “at the expense of common sense”.
Jared Brading, executive head of Sacred Heart and St Mary’s Catholic Primary Schools in Battersea, said he has faced criticism for deciding to broadcast Christmas performances online for parents and to hold the Christmas fair outside.
He said: “I think some headteachers without perhaps the experience or support of their governors are under great pressure to keep the parents happy at the expense of common sense.”
He added: “We feel that we are offering the children experiences as close to normal as possible, if not the parents. And after all who is school for?”
Barry Read, head of The RJ Mitchell Primary in Dagenham, is allowing the Christmas play to go ahead after a risk assessment. Parents will wear masks and ticket numbers will be limited.
He said: “The difficulty lies in the fact there has been no direction from the Government again. The decision has been left to Heads.”
It comes as a poll by Teacher Tapp suggested more than one in four primary schools are planning to run nativity plays online this year.
