A primary school in Weston-super-Mare has been criticised for banning Valentine cards to save pupils the "emotional trauma" of being rejected.
Children at Ashcombe Primary School were stopped from exchanging cards because the head teacher said they were not emotionally mature enough to cope.
Peter Turner told parents of the 430 pupils that cards would be confiscated.
One pupil’s mother said: "I think it’s outrageous. They’re just children. Why spoil their fun"
"It’s only a bit of fun once a year and it doesn’t mean anything to kids that age"
MP Ann Widdecombe
The woman, whose son attends the school, said: "It’s comical really. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the newsletter.
"My son is six and he’s had a little girlfriend since nursery. They say they’re going to get married, but we don’t read anything into it."
Mr Turner said in the newsletter that children get upset when they are "dumped" which interrupts their learning.
He said children should wait until they are mature enough emotionally and socially to understand the commitment in having a boyfriend or girlfriend.
‘Parents laughing’
A woman who has a seven-year-old at the school said: "I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.
"It’s a tradition, I can remember when I used to receive cards from boys in school. It’s a lovely thing to do.
"Most of the parents were laughing about it, but the children are wondering what’s going on because they’ve sent cards before."
Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe also criticised the move.
She said: "It’s only a bit of fun once a year and it doesn’t mean anything to kids that age.
"I just think it is rather silly. Haven’t they anything better to worry about at that school"
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