A teacher at a Church of England primary school has been reprimanded after she brought in her own video player to school and accidentally played a pornographic film to pupils.
The female teacher was trying to show an educational programme to a group of 10-year-olds when a series of lewd scenes suddenly flashed up on the screen.
The unnamed teacher, at St Helen's Church of England School in Abbotsham in Devon, hurriedly shut down the machine – which she brought in after the school's own device had broken down.
Parents today said they were 'disappointed and angry' as they had chosen the school because of its Christian values.
Some said they were considering withdrawing their children as a result.
One mother said she was furious that parents had not been told earlier about the incident, which occurred two weeks ago.
Speaking in the Daily Mail, she said: 'We are swaying from anger to outrage and embarrassment that this can be allowed to happen in a primary school, let alone a church school.
'We are absolutely shocked and disgusted to hear about this.
'We assumed this was another playground rumour and feel that parents should have been told a lot sooner. Now it feels as though the school were trying to keep it quiet.'
A spokesman for Devon County Council refused to confirm the date when the incident occurred, but said the film was played by 'accident' and that the matter had been dealt with.
He said: 'A member of staff has been disciplined after a video machine she brought in from home to replace a broken classroom machine was switched on and a video tape that had been accidentally left in it started to play.
'Four children briefly saw some inappropriate material. The parents of the children have been kept fully informed of the school's actions, which were agreed by the headteacher and the chair
of governors.'
Headteacher Kim Baker confirmed the incident and said the local authority had helped deal with it but refused to reveal the disciplinary measures.
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