ANGRY parents say a “killjoy” headteacher has banned children from playing tag in the school playground.

Pupils at Rudyard Kipling Primary School, Woodingdean, were reportedly told they could no longer touch each other while playing at break time.

It has left children feeling “bored” at break times, while some parents say it will turn their children into “snowflakes” because they are being mollycoddled.

A letter sent home to parents by the headteacher Joanne Smith said it follows concerns about “play fighting and rough play” that were “causing some children to get upset”.

She said games such as “it” and “team it” had “escalated” and said a new “gentle hands” rule was in place at the school.

It included teaching children “lots of new games” that follow the gentle rule.

Mrs Smith has told parents it does not mean children cannot touch each other, but parents say their children were told not to touch one another.

The Argus asked the school to clarify the policy, but was told: “The school does not wish to make a comment”.

One parent said: “It’s ridiculous, the parents had not been informed of this.

“These are playground games that the children love to play. The children were told it involved all games with touching.

“It is a killjoy thing to do.”

A letter from Mrs Smith to parents states: “To clarify, ‘Gentle Hands’ does not mean ‘no touching’. The children are of course allowed to hold hands or play clapping games with a friend should they wish to.

“Gentle Hands simply means playing games outside that do not need to be physical.

“This will ensure the playground is a happy, safe and calm place where everyone can enjoy their lunchtime running around and getting the exercise we know is important to them.”

Another parent said the school has gone too far and said games like tag or it help children to learn.

The parent said: “The game is played everywhere, it doesn’t need any instructions, it is naturally instinctive for children to play.

“The school has gone about this completely the wrong way.

“To say kids can’t touch each other with their hands is why we have a snowflake generation.We are saying to our children that they are not allowed to do anything.”

A spokesman for Rudyard Kipling Primary School said: “We want to make sure the playground is a happy, safe and calm place where everyone can enjoy their lunchtime running around and getting the exercise we know is important to them.

“With the full support of our staff and our Parents Teachers and Friends Association, we have reminded the children of our ‘Gentle Hands’ rule during break and lunchtimes.

“This is because last half term we had a few incidents involving rough play and play fighting that were causing children to get upset. Gentle Hands’ simply means playing games outside that do not need to be overly physical and risk hurting or upsetting other children.”