‘Humbug’: Harrogate school wants to ban children from taking birthday sweets in lunch boxes

Teachers are suggesting primary school pupils bringing in sweets to share with classmates and staff could make a contribution to school funds instead.

Consultations are now underway with parents of the 420 pupils of Rossett Acre primary school in Harrogate.

But UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said yesterday: “This is absolute nonsense and pure humbug.

“It is kill joy puritanism at its worst which is just taking away innocent pleasures from young children.”

Helen Nash, whose son Thomas, ten, is a pupil at the school and whose daughter, aged 13, a former pupil, said: “My son who’s still at the school says it’s a stupid idea and that school is no fun anymore.

“He says if people don’t want sweets then don’t eat them. He’s a healthy ten year old who plays sport at county level and eats a balanced diet, including sweets as a treat.

“I think a lot of people are missing the point. It really annoys me all this health and safety rubbish. Every treat is being axed off.”

Chris McGovern, Chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: “Schools need to use common sense.

“The celebration of a birthday should just be part of everyday life in the family of the school.

“We really don’t feel schools need to get too excited about children having the occasional celebration.

“Some schools go on about health and you have to be careful about dental care.

“But it’s good to have the odd celebration in class. It is part of schools being a society and it makes children feel belonged, especially young children.”

Head Corrine Penhale has written to parents asking to choose between carrying on the sweet tradition and paying for a library book or some other item for the school.

She said: “I’ve had the biggest response I’ve ever had when consulting on school issues.

“Some parents thanked us for consulting, some agreed with an alternative to sweets and others said they thought it was ridiculous to think of changing the tradition and spoiling the fun.

“We will look at all the responses and if most parents want to carry on the birthday sweets treat the school leaders and teachers would be more than happy with that.”

A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said: “The school has had a long tradition of children with birthdays bringing in to school a small bag of wrapped sweets to hand out to members of their class at the end of the school day.

“It is a birthday tradition the head teacher and staff have been happy to support.

“Rossett Acre is school of over 420 children and also prides itself on good and open relations with its parents.

“As part of this the school gives parents the chance to make suggestions about what they would like to see improved or changed in the school.

“The school has a suggestions box and email where parents can put forward ideas.

“For some time some parents have suggested that instead of parents buying bags of sweets for their child to give out as birthday treats, they could give money for the school to purchase something to benefit all children.

“This was raised also at a Parent Teachers Association meeting. The school leadership felt that if parents really did want to go down that line then buying a book for the school library might be one way forward.”