In a move sparking outrage among parents, Wherwell Primary School in Andover, Hampshire, has decided to strip all references to Christmas from its upcoming pantomime, *Jack and the Beanstalk*, in the name of “inclusivity.” The decision, announced in a letter to parents, has ignited a fiery debate over the erasure of cultural traditions and the pandering to political correctness.
Headteacher Mandy Ovenden informed parents of the change, citing concerns that references to Christmas might exclude children from families who do not celebrate the holiday. This has left many parents feeling blindsided and furious, with accusations that the school is prioritizing the sensitivities of a minority over the shared cultural heritage of the majority.
“This shouldn’t be allowed,” one parent told *The Daily Mail*. “Christmas is celebrated all over the UK and the world, and you just can’t eradicate it so a few people will not be offended. A pantomime is only ever held at Christmas, but it’s crazy that there can be no mention of the word.”
Another parent didn’t hold back: “The head is wrong pandering to the whim of a small minority of parents. She or the panto company should have said ‘no.’ You cannot eradicate our history and culture.”
A follow-up letter from the school attempted to justify the decision, explaining that Christmas songs had been removed to create a more “inclusive” environment. The letter stated:
“We have a number of families who either do not celebrate Christmas or do so in a different way. The children of these families are removed from events such as this, at the request of their parents. As this is not a Christmas event, but a pantomime, it can be enjoyed by everyone with the changes we have requested.”
While the school insists that traditional Christmas events will continue throughout the term, the move to sanitize the pantomime has left many questioning the school’s priorities. Critics argue that this isn’t about inclusivity—it’s about erasing a cherished tradition to avoid imaginary offense.
“This is yet another example of institutions abandoning British values under the guise of tolerance,” said one disgruntled parent. “True inclusivity doesn’t mean sidelining the majority culture; it means celebrating differences without sacrificing identity.”
The pantomime company, Chaplins Pantos, confirmed that the request to remove Christmas references came directly from the school. “We don’t always mention Santa Claus,” a spokesman said, “but there would usually include a Christmas song and reference to Christmas. On this occasion, the school asked us not to include any reference.”
Parents and critics alike argue that the school’s decision to erase Christmas from the production is emblematic of a broader trend to diminish the UK’s cultural traditions in the name of inclusivity. They contend that the move contradicts the very British values the school claims to uphold—particularly mutual respect and individual liberty.
Wherwell Primary School’s attempt to balance the concerns of a few with the traditions of the many has left a sour taste in the mouths of parents, who fear this is yet another step toward cultural erasure. As one parent put it: “This is Britain. Christmas is part of who we are. We shouldn’t have to apologize for it.”
While the school remains “excited” about its pantomime and promises other Christmas celebrations, the damage to community trust may already be done. For now, many parents are left wondering: if Christmas isn’t safe in a festive panto, where is it safe?
