A school which set up a Halloween party exclusively for pupils with high attendance has rearranged celebrations after a backlash from parents.

Students with 96% attendance or higher at Langley Park Primary Academy in Maidstone were invited to the spooky soiree, but parents accused staff of unfairly “punishing and bullying” youngsters who were not invited because many were encouraged to stay home during peak Covid times.

The party was scheduled to go ahead at the school in Edmett Way on Wednesday but was cancelled and moved to today so all pupils could be included.

Those with high attendance will receive a certificate, however.

One mum whose six-year-old daughter goes to the school claimed invitations were initially given out in front of those who didn’t make the cut, leaving them “extremely upset”.

She said: “We have been told we are not allowed in school with symptoms and have to follow government guidelines and stay away.

“Then our children are punished for being off by not being invited to the Halloween party.

“Invitations were given out in front of the other children that didn’t get one. My daughter was extremely upset and couldn't understand why she was not good enough to go to the party."

Another annoyed mum added: “Any children who took time off for illness or to follow government guidelines on PCR testing for Covid symptoms were essentially being punished by not being invited to the party.

“It just seems like madness, especially during a time when we are having to be so careful about attendance if we have certain symptoms.”

A spokesperson for Leigh Academies Trust said: "Langley Park Academy is keen to promote good attendance and a celebration party was initially planned for children with high levels of attendance but following feedback from parents we decided to change the format of the event so that an attendance celebration could be held today for all children.

"For those children achieving high levels of attendance they will also receive a certificate."

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