Father who wore fancy dress on school run given ‘safeguarding' warning

Telegraph

5 days ago

A father who dressed up in a gorilla costume for his daughter's last day of term was told by her 'woke' school his actions were 'a serious safeguarding concern'.
Chris Napthine, 47, wore the ape outfit to collect his seven-year-old daughter on Friday but said he later received the 'ridiculous' text from the school.
Mr Napthine's daughter was on her last day of Year 2 at Hertford Vale C of E Primary School in the village of Staxton, North Yorkshire, when he decided to dress up to 'embarrass her' for a bit of fun.
He said: 'That's what dads do: embarrass their daughters. I'm always playing jokes and messing about.
'The other day I put a horse's head on, so on the last day of school I put on a gorilla outfit. Then, I got this snotty text off the school, saying it's a 'serious safeguarding issue'.'
The text, shared by Mr Napthine, 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.'
But Mr Napthine said he sees nothing wrong with his prank – labelling the school 'woke' for its stance.
He added: 'How is that a safeguarding issue? Where is it going to end? Are the kids not going to be allowed to dress up?
'I was just trying to have a bit of a laugh, but the school have taken it dead serious.
'Ridiculous'
'I just thought it was ridiculous. Safeguarding is about the safety of the kids. A dad in a gorilla outfit is not a safeguarding issue, let alone a 'serious' one.
'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'.
Paul Bradbury, chairman of the board of governors at the school, said: '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.
'Parents and carers place their trust in us to safeguard their children, and it is essential that we uphold that trust by ensuring all visitors are clearly identifiable and behave in a way that supports a calm and safe learning environment. We are sure people will agree that's not possible when someone is wearing a full gorilla suit.
'Some children frightened'
'That's why we have asked the parent involved not to do this again and been clear that while some children may have been entertained, some were frightened, and our staff could not identify an adult on site looking through windows.
'We remain committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all pupils, staff, and visitors.'
Responding to the school's statement, Mr Napthine claimed he had taken his gorilla mask off at the school – meaning both staff and his daughter were 'well aware' it was him.
He added: 'I get it would be a safeguarding issue if I'd have gone and not taken it off, but I took the mask off.
'They were very well aware it was me and they knew it was me regardless of that.'