A primary school in Plymouth has angered parents by charging them £2 to see the pupils’ nativity play.
Paul Cotter, the head teacher at the Roman Catholic Holy Cross primary, said that he had to introduce the fee because the school was underfunded. “This year we are particularly poorly funded . . . Most parents don’t realise it costs us more than £1,000 to stage the production,” he said. “I know that most people like to go to two or three shows, but I don’t think £2 is too much to ask.”
One parent, Steph Wood, said that the fee was beyond belief. Another, who did not wish to be named said: “Whatever happened to the spirit of Christmas?” Valentine Hiromeris, a Plymouth councillor, said. “When my children were in primary school parents were asked to make voluntary contributions for these things, not compelled to pay.” The school said that it was unlikely the play would break even.