Headteacher sparks debate with letter asking parental permission to give children a Kit Kat in class

A headteacher has sparked debate after sending a letter home to parents asking them for permission to give children chocolate at school.

Should schools require permission to give children chocolate? The debate started after a school in Huddersfield sent a letter to parents asking for their permission before giving children a Kit Kat as part of a lesson.

According to the Huddersfield Examiner, the activity was part of a 'unique class about writing instructions for "how to eat a Kit Kat"'.

But before giving pupils the popular chocolate, the school informed parents of the lesson plan and requested their permission to give chocolate to their children.

The letter, sent to parents recently, read: 'On Monday 6th November each Year 1 child will be given a Kit Kat to eat.

'If you do not wish your child to eat a Kit Kat please let us know before Monday.'

For parents who did not wish their children to eat a Kit Kat in class, the headteacher said they could still take part in the lesson by watching another child eat a Kit Kat.

'If you do not want your child to eat a Kit Kat they can still take part by watching another child eat theirs,' the letter confirmed.

The school asked parents for permission ahead of a lesson that involved children eating a Kit Kat

After the letter emerged, headteacher Mr Blakeley explained that the letter was sent 'out of respect' for parents, and to make sure they're kept informed on what their children are doing at school.

Speaking to the Huddersfield Examiner, the headteacher also revealed that no parent said no to the request.

He told the publication: 'We send letters home maybe five times a year. We want mums and dads to know what their child is doing and having in school.

'It's not about penalising a child if a parent says no. No parents have contacted us to say no.

'But we do activities in food technology or art and design and we may ask parents for permission. It was done as a courtesy and out of respect for a parent's choice.'

The gesture divided parents' opinion, with some arguing that schools often criticise parents for putting sugary treats in children's lunch boxes.

One wrote on social media: 'Just wondering how eating a Kit Kat can help improve a child's performance in a literacy class? And who is going to pay for these chocolate bars? The whole world has gone mad'.

Another added: 'So it's okay for school to give kids chocolate but if parents do it they're ridiculed by the school and the children have them confiscated. As usual one rule for them a different rule for us scenario, just like the uniform fiasco's.'

However, one parent agreed with the school: 'Due to severe allergies i would want to know before my son was given anything to eat. I would like to be kept informed. We were once in a situation where school gave him mayonnaise - he is allergic to egg - he missed school as he ended up so poorly. If they had asked we would have said no and suggested an alternative. Well done to the school for asking!'

What do you think? Is parental permission necessary for eating chocolate? Let us know in the comments!