A school that has introduced a new rule telling pupils to make a thumbs up sign instead of putting their hands up in class has been criticised by parents and councillors as "ridiculous".
Burlington Junior School, East Riding, has told children they must make the sign if they want to answer a question. But parents have called the measure "daft", saying their children would look as if they were imitating Happy Days character The Fonz.
Posters have been put up around the school showing a raised arm with a red cross next to it and an image of a child doing a thumbs up, according to media reports.
Dave Campleman, 44, who has two children at the junior school told a local paper he thought it was a joke.
"I can't see the logic in it. I think it's pointless. It's not benefitting their education - they could focus on other things."
"Being told to do something different just confuses them", he added.
The method is being used on eight and nine-year-old children and the school hopes to implement the rule on its infant school.
Bridlington Old Town Councillor Ray Allerston, who was previously a governor at Burlington Infant School, called the new measure "ridiculous".
He told the Huffington Post UK: "I think the children should stick to putting their hands up. I don't see how this helps at all."
But this is not the first time the school has tried unusual teaching methods. Pupils have previously been made to answer questions via a lucky dip system using lollipop sticks which have their names written on.
Head teacher Cheryle Adams defended the new idea, insisting the new signal has a "calming" effect on the children.
Mrs Adams told the Huffington Post: "Putting the thumbs up sign encourages the shy and retiring pupils to answer as it is a far less intrusive method than raising your hand.
"What happens is half the class will put their hand up at every opportunity and the rest will just think 'leave them to it'."
Mrs Adams said they were working closely with Burlington Infant School who were piloting the scheme.
"Staff have noticed a positive difference in the amount of people answering questions", she added. "It's encouraging the children to use a different form of responding."