Health & Safety Madness as Playground Evacuated Due to 'Aggressive Squirrel'

Children at a school in Hertfordshire were evacuated from their playground because of an “unusually aggressive” squirrel.

Chater Infants’ School in Watford is now on ‘alert’ after the furry grey creature was caught disrupting playtime.

Head teacher Mrs Bal-Richards told the Watford Observer that they were “monitoring the situation.”

“We did have an incident where we had a squirrel. It is very uncommon for a squirrel to be a little aggressive.” It was “a little bit tempered” she said, adding that the school caretaker was “being extra vigilant.”

“We talked to the children at an assembly the following day to say some times animals can be aggressive and a bit tempered and what to do if that happens.”

She admitted that none of the children were hurt in the incident but said that a teacher who approached the fierce rodent was scratched.

She explained that school procedure was followed, saying, “We would obviously make sure if there was an issue around the children and they were becoming frightened, we do advise teachers take children back into the school and make sure they are safe.

“Safeguarding children is paramount” she said. “It is uncommon for a squirrel to actually demonstrate aggressive behaviour but we are aware of the situation.”

But one primary school teacher told Breitbart London that it was important for children to have exercise during playtime and said that had she been the teacher on duty she “probably would have chased it away”.

While these sorts of decisions often cause mirth to outsiders, schools have to be careful about incidents such as these because of the risk of parents taking legal action.

The games of ‘leap frog’ and ‘British bulldog’ were revealed to be banned in some schools, research by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers revealed.

Other favourites such as conkers, marbles and tag were also in decline, with 14 per cent of teachers reporting ban on the autumnal favourites and five per cent saying chasing games were forbidden.

Worryingly, the research also discovered that some teachers who took part in the report cited a ban on skipping, rugby and football.

Experts have criticised ‘wrapping children in cotton wool’ saying experiences at school about risks and decision making are an important part of a child’s development.