A headteacher has defended her decision to insist pupils attend school on World Book Day today (Thursday) dressed as crayons, instead of their favourite character from a book.

The parent of a pupil at Longmeadow Primary School in Stevenage, Kelly Warren, contacted the Comet to express her dismay that the school has “removed fun from World Book Day”.

She said: “All parents have been told that this year the children must not dress up as their favourite book character, but instead all children must dress up as a crayon. To make it ‘fun’, the children can be whatever colour crayon they like. Utterly ridiculous!

“This has never happened before and most of the children seem annoyed they can’t choose for themselves what character they want to be.”

But headteacher Anne Heywood says the decision to make pupils dress as crayons is to ensure all children, including those whose families may be struggling financially, can be included.

She said: “Every school has a different approach to World Book Day and this can change year on year.

“Our Book Week is based on the award-winning story The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. There is a tremendous amount of good, fun, learning that is prompted by this story.

“Teachers have had guidance from our English leader on numerous activities to do with the children. Our librarian is fully involved, visiting classes to read the sequel - The Day the Crayons Came Home.

“Dressing up as crayons - the characters in the story - is part of helping to bring the story to life through drama.

“An important aspect of any special day is ensuring all children can take part. Many of our families cannot manage continual requests for funding or special clothes.

“Dressing as crayons means the fancy dress can be as simple as a one-colour outfit, to something as creative as parents would like it to be. Thus, far from being disadvantaged, the focus for this year ensures all children can be included.”