Head defends Simpsons lessons

Parent John Reynolds complained to governors at Kingsmead Community School in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, that six weeks devoted to learning about the cartoon was a waste of time.

He urged the school to bring in high-brow texts for his daughter and her classmates and has so far collected about 400 signatures from within the local community supporting his view.

But headteacher Geoff Tinker said: "The governors have looked into this in great detail and rejected Mr Reynolds' claim - a decision I completely endorse.

"We are one of several schools in Somerset who use The Simpsons as part of Key Stage three media projects.

"We live in a media-rich society and it's important our students are critical readers of complex media texts, such as this, which includes satire and humour."