A school teacher has upset parents and their children by claiming in class that Santa Claus doesn’t really exist.

The teacher at Christchurch Junior School stunned children in his Year Four class with the announcement... despite everyone knowing Santa Claus is, of course, real.

The teacher was taking a literacy lesson where the youngsters aged eight and nine were writing a letter to Santa Claus, when he made the ho-ho-howler leading to a stream of complaints from parents.

One parent said: “Everyone knows that it is Santa Claus who comes down the chimney every Christmas Eve spreading happiness and joy with his sacks full of presents.

“This teacher has upset all our children and will really be in Santa’s bad books now!” the parent added.

Head teacher Simon Adorian said the teacher had been spoken to and was, “mortified” by getting it wrong. He said four parents had rung to speak to him about the error.

Mr Adorian added: “I have probably never spoken to someone who is feeling as sorry as this teacher.

“He is extremely sorry about it. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

“We celebrate Christmas as traditionally as other schools.

“Children left the room saying to their parents that Santa Claus isn’t really real, which upset them, and that is the last thing I want.”

Santa Claus speaks to the Echo

We contacted Santa in the North Pole, who was extremely busy making toys  for boys and girls across the world.

He just had a few minutes to spare to exclusively tell the Daily Echo: “This teacher has been a very naughty boy to claim that it’s mums and dads who fill up their children’s stockings, and if he hadn’t said sorry I would have crossed him off my Christmas list.

“Everyone in the world knows that’s my job and I can’t wait to do it again this year.” He added: “Must dash now. I’ve got a rush on here...”

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