Parents charged £1 to watch child's school nativity play
A headteacher has written to parents after receiving "mixed feedback" from them over a move to sell £1 tickets to watch the school nativity play.
Louise Bury, headteacher of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Worcester, said it was "not that uncommon" to charge to see the Christmas nativity claiming it was to restrict numbers over health and safety concerns.
Revenue will go towards learning materials, especially for parents and children who do not have English as their first language, she said.
But she added she was "extremely concerned" over the conduct of some parents towards staff following the move which she said was "verbal abuse".
In a letter sent to parents last week, Ms Bury said: "I know that for some of you, paying to see your child perform doesn't feel right. With ever tightening budgets and growing numbers, we saw this as an opportunity to be able to invest in some valuable reading and learning resources.
"We have plans to develop parent groups that will enable you to grow in your awareness of how reading is taught; this will especially help those of you who don't have English as your first language."
She added: "I have been extremely concerned about the conduct of some parents towards my staff which in some cases I can only describe as verbal abuse.
"This is unnecessary and leaves open the question: do we need a parent code of conduct to protect the teaching staff who work so passionately for your children?"
Parents complained about the move including one, who remained anonymous, who told Worcester News parents the only evening performance was quickly sold out causing disappointment to children.
The parent added: "Parents are also expected to provide costumes for their child to wear for the play, despite possibly not being able to watch them."
Others have complained of 'racism' towards English pupils.
One parent of an eight-year-old pupil said: "It just feels like a kind of politically-correct racism against English parents. It's not fair."
Ms Bury added that the school is in a "very poorly funded authority" and that charging to see the Key Stage 1, reception and nursery plays was "a wonderful opportunity" to raise money.
She added: "We are becoming a bigger school and there are cost implications on that.
"Everything we do is for our children. We are wanting to invest in reading."
The school, which caters for 318 pupils aged between four and 11, has 43.5 per cent who speak English as a second language (EAL).
It moved from a one form to a two form entry three years ago.
Children at the school speak up to seven other languages including Polish, Greek, Punjabi and Lithuanian.
The mixed school was rated 'good' in its last Ofsted inspection in January 2013.
The report said: "Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs and pupils with English as an additional language are supported well.
"They make good progress from their individual starting points and are integrated in lessons as much as possible.
"This demonstrates that the school strongly promotes equality of opportunity for pupils."