PARENTS and pupils at Rogerstone Primary school will be pleased to hear that Christmas events will not be postponed after all at the school this year, following a u-turn on a decision unpopular with some parents.

Last Tuesday, the primary school announced a number of Christmas events including a pantomime trip, school disco and fete would be put off due to an Estyn school inspection in the second week of December.

A number of parents were furious after a letter was sent outlining the changes.

In the letter, from head teacher Steve Rayer, it said the panto and concerts would be rearranged in the new year and the fete and disco would go ahead after the inspection.

One mother who wished to remain anonymous said: “A lot of parents are very upset about it. The general feeling is the children are being penalised and they should come first.”

However, a spokeswoman for Rogerstone Primary School and Newport City Council said yesterday: “Estyn examines the standard of teaching and learning during an inspection but, as things stood, the children would have been out of the classrooms a lot that week.

“It is vitally important for the school, including its pupils and their parents, to be examined by Estyn and understand how well it is performing.

“However, following discussions with some parents and Estyn it was agreed to reinstate the children’s trip to the pantomime.”

The disco, Santa’s Grotto and class Christmas parties will be held in the last week of term.

The spokeswoman added: “The school would like to thank those parents who have shown their support and understanding in relation to the issues it was facing and would reassure everyone that Christmas will most definitely be celebrated at Rogerstone Primary.”

Inspectors are due to be in the school for three days, starting on December 9. The end of term is December 20.

A spokeswoman for Estyn said it wants to see schools running normally: “We would never recommend any school should cancel any Christmas activities or day-to-day events because of an inspection.”