A FATHER has launched a scathing attack on his daughter’s “woke” primary school after they banned him from wearing fancy dress on the school run, claiming his gorilla costume posed “a serious safeguarding concern”.
Chris Napthine, 47, dressed up to collect his seven-year-old daughter Addie on her last day of term at Hertford Vale C of E Primary School in Staxton, North Yorkshire. The self-employed horse dentist said he was simply trying to have “a bit of fun” to embarrass his daughter on Friday.
But the father-of-two received what he described as a “snotty” text message from the school, warning him that wearing costumes or masks was a safeguarding issue. The message stated it had “upset some of the children & caused concern for adults”.
School Defends Safety Stance
Paul Bradbury, chairman of the board of governors at the school, defended the decision, stating: “Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is not only our commitment but is a statutory responsibility for all schools. A key part of this is knowing who is on the school premises at all times.”
He added: “We are sure people will agree that’s not possible when someone is wearing a full gorilla suit. That’s why we have asked the parent involved not to do this again.”
The school claimed that while some children were entertained, others were frightened, and staff could not identify the adult on site who was “looking through windows.
Dad Hits Back at ‘Ridiculous’ Ban
Napthine, who lives opposite the small village school where both he and his children attended, dismissed the safeguarding concerns as “ridiculous. He revealed he had previously worn a horse’s head mask without incident.
“How is that a safeguarding issue? Where is it going to end? Are the kids not going to be allowed to dress up?” the farmer questioned. “A dad in a gorilla outfit is not a safeguarding issue – let alone a ‘serious’ one.”
He claimed he had removed his gorilla mask at the school, meaning staff were “well aware” of his identity. “I get it would be a safeguarding issue if I’d have gone and not taken it off, but I took the mask off,” he explained.
Community Support for ‘Embarrassing Dad’
The incident has sparked widespread support for Napthine, who said he had received numerous messages backing his position. “I’ve had lots of messages of support, saying: ‘What on Earth is this country coming to? A kid can identify as a cat but a dad can’t dress up as a gorilla’,” he revealed.
The father insisted his actions were typical parental behaviour, stating: “That’s what dads do: embarrass their daughters. I’m always playing jokes and messing about. It’s just a bit woke.”
The text message from the school read: “Please do not come into school in a costume or mask. This is a serious safeguarding issue. It has also upset some of the children & caused concern for adults.”
Previous School Diversity Controversy
The incident comes just days after another school controversy involving cultural celebrations. Courtney Wright, 12, was banned from Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, after wearing a Union Jack dress to the school’s cultural diversity day.
The Year 7 pupil, who had prepared a speech celebrating British traditions including tea, Shakespeare, and fish and chips, was told by staff: “You get to celebrate being British every day, this is for everybody else.
Her father, Stuart Field, 47, accused the school of “virtue signalling” after his daughter was given the option of wearing second-hand uniform instead of her patriotic outfit. The grade-A student refused and was collected from school early.
School Forced to Close After Threats
Following the Union Jack dress incident, Bilton School was forced to close “in the interests of student and staff safety” after receiving what it described as “extremist threats”. The school released a letter to parents stating it was receiving “extremist abuse online and via our telephone systems”.
Headteacher Jayne Delves and Ranjit Samra, CEO of Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust, confirmed that members of staff had been threatened following the controversy.
The trust subsequently issued an apology to Wright and her family, stating: “We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies.”
Government Response to Cultural Row
The Prime Minister’s Office responded to the Bilton School incident, with a spokesperson stating: “The Prime Minister believes that being British is something to be celebrated. We are a tolerant, diverse country.”
Downing Street’s intervention came after the story gained national attention, with many questioning whether schools were going too far in their interpretation of cultural sensitivity and inclusion policies.
Education Policy Under Scrutiny
Both incidents have raised questions about the implementation of safeguarding and diversity policies in schools. Education experts suggest schools are struggling to balance security concerns with traditional parent-child interactions.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education declined to comment on individual cases but stated: “Schools have a duty to ensure the safety of all pupils while maintaining positive relationships with parents and the wider community.”
Local education authorities are reportedly reviewing guidance on both safeguarding procedures and cultural celebration events to prevent similar controversies in the future.
Small Village School at Centre of Storm
Hertford Vale C of E Primary School, which has approximately 110 pupils, serves the rural community of Staxton near Scarborough. The school’s website states it works “in partnership with pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community to make our school a special place to be.”
The Church of England voluntary controlled school has not issued a public statement beyond the board of governors’ response. When contacted for comment, the school directed enquiries to the chairman’s earlier statement about safeguarding responsibilities.
As debates about “woke” policies in education continue to divide opinion, these latest incidents highlight the challenges schools face in navigating modern sensitivities whilst maintaining traditional community relationships.
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