PARENTS have been banned from taking their children to a school’s breakfast club after shirking payments.

Confusion reigned when Holmbush Primary Academy in Shoreham sent out a text message to all parents saying the popular club would be no more because some parents were not paying.

Paying parents reacted angrily to the message sent on Tuesday morning and after The Argus contacted the school, a further message was circulated to clear up the issue.

Rebecca Jackson, headteacher, confirmed the £1.50-a-day Breakfast Club had not closed and will continue to run as normal.

Ms Jackson said: “We have to balance our books and when a small number of parents did not pay for the Breakfast Club we had to inform them that the service would not be available to them.

“This may have led to some believing the club was closing but this is not the case.

“We are sorry for any confusion this may have caused and we would be happy to meet with any parent to discuss this further.”

One paying parent, who has contacted Ofsted about the issue, was left disgusted by the way the situation had been handled and said: “It’s just an “I don’t care” attitude.

“It completely goes against every other school’s ethos of caring for children.

“It just beggars belief.”

The initial message from the school said: “Unfortunately due to non-payment of fees we are unable to continue with breakfast club after half term.

“The last one will be Friday, February 12.

“We are still offering childcare from 8am.

“Let the office know your requirements, costs will depend on uptake and will be payable in advance.”

The Argus spoke to Ms Jackson on Tuesday afternoon and minutes later another text message was sent to parents to clarify the situation.

But a parent, who had contacted the headteacher, was told it was only the school’s statutory duty to have the children in school from 8.50am to 3.15pm and that complaints could be directed to the board of governors via their clerk.

Ms Jackson told the parent in an email seen by The Argus: “We actually have no duty of care for your child outside of those times.”