Primary school children banned from decorating Christmas tree after school was given 'inadequate' Ofsted rating

Primary school children have been banned from decorating their town’s Christmas tree after the school was given an "inadequate" Ofsted rating.  

Padstow School in Cornwall said it declined to be involved in the tradition this year due to "a commitment to ongoing improvement".  

The decision has provoked a furious backlash from parents, who said the school had taken away "the magic of community getting together".

They vowed to organise independent events for children to make the tree decorations as usual.  One parent, Anna Wright, said she couldn't believe the "absolutely disgusting" decision. 

"What's been taken away is the magic of community getting together, all because our Ofsted report was a shambles," she added.

Emma George, a mother-of-three, said it had been tradition for several years for pupils to make decorations and then hang them on the town's large Christmas tree where they were given a free hot chocolate by a local business.

"It's a disgrace, it's so sad that [the head teacher] wants to take this away,” she said. In its latest inspection report, published earlier this month, Ofsted declared the school was "inadequate" and required special measures to be taken.

A school spokesperson said: "Due to an extremely busy timetable of events and activities planned between now and Christmas and a commitment to ongoing school improvement, the school has politely declined to be involved this year."

They added that the school "has always enjoyed close links with the town" and is involved in many Christmas community events.

Another parent, Emily Colwill, said she has taken matters into her own hands by organising an event next week for children to make decorations for the tree.

"I understand these teachers are under a lot of pressure but it's been a tradition for nine years or so that all the kids are so proud of," she said. "We have been contacted by up to 60 people so far who want to help. I have been blown away by the community spirit."