April Jones fears spark 'school grounds ban for parents' at Swansea primary school

PARENTS at a Swansea primary school say they were prevented from watching their children play football due to concerns surrounding the disappearance of five-year- old April Jones.

Those expecting to watch their kids play football after school on Thursday at Parkland Primary School in Sketty, were apparently advised they couldn’t, and instead had to wait outside or return at 4.30pm.

However, the school has since claimed that no parents have been prevented from watching children play football.

One parent told the Post: “Parents were told that because of what had happened with April Jones that they had made a decision not to allow parents onto school grounds for after-school clubs.

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“We will have to stay outside the gates until the end. A lot of the parents were annoyed.”

The mum, who didn’t want to be named, said there was some sympathy with this position because it had the safety of the pupils at heart, but she added that the school should know who the parents or guardians are and let them in to watch sport.

She said that she and others had not been made aware of any change in school policy.

“No letter was sent out,” she said.

However, a text was sent to parents on Friday informing them that the gates would remain locked.

It is understood the after-school instructions for parents was communicated by a football coach.

Despite the text being sent to parents, a spokesman for Parkland school denied any parents had been barred from watching their children.

A school statement said: “We have never prevented parents watching their children playing football matches.

“If parents wish to discuss this please contact the school to speak to the head teacher.”

April, of Machynlleth, has not been seen since October 1. A fund set up in her name has raised nearly £20,000, with donations from as far afield as the US. Mark Bridger, 46, of Ceinws, Machynlleth, has been charged with the murder and abduction of April and of attempting to pervert the course of justice.