PARENTS of children at primary schools run by the borough-based Catalyst Academies Trust have been told all non-compulsory school events have been 'put on hold' – meaning Christmas events including nativity plays may not happen.

A letter to parents informing them of the Trust's decision appears to be a response to an issue raised earlier this year by Thurrock MP Jen Craft who criticised a Trust decision not to allow a three-year-old child, who has profound disabilities, to attend events involving his sister, who is a pupil at Ockendon's Benyon school – one of five schools managed by the Trust.

The others are Aveley Primary, Dilkes Academy, Quarry Hill Academy and Somers Heath Primary School.

The issue ended up being raised in Westminster and Prime Minister's Questions by Mrs Craft and PM Andy Burnham said he would take an interest in the matter.

In the wake of that, Trust chief executive Tony Parfett said: "For some events we need to control the number of attendees for practical and safety reasons. There is no ban on siblings attending these kinds of events."

He offered mediation and to speak to the family "to seek further arrangements that can be made to assist their attendance at scheduled events while remaining fair to all parents."

All appeared to have gone quiet on the matter but on Monday (9 November) parents received a letter saying the Trust was 'currently reviewing arrangements relating to attendance at non-compulsory school events run throughout the year.'

The letter said the Trust wanted to reassure all families that the same criteria are applied consistently and fairly to everyone.

And went on to say: "As part of this review, we have carefully considered requests to increase the number of attendees at school events which would have a significant impact on staffing and school operations.

"In many cases, accommodating additional attendees would require events to be repeated over multiple sessions to ensure suitable capacity', supervision, and a positive experience for all involved.

"This would significantly increase the number of sessions that staff are required to plan, organise, and deliver. As a result, it would become increasingly difficult to continue offering the broad range of events, performances, celebrations, and enrichment opportunities that our community currently enjoys.

It is also important to recognise that many of these events are not part of our staff's contractual duties. They are planned and delivered through the professional generosity, commitment, and goodwill of our staff, who give significant additional time and effort to create these opportunities for our children and families."

Then came the crux of the message.

"Whilst this review is underway, all non-compulsory school events involving parental attendance will be placed on hold until further notice.

"We appreciate that this may impact planned activities, including Christmas events and celebrations. We understand how important these occasions are for pupils, parents, and the wider school community. Please be assured that we are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and will keep families informed of any developments. We will endeavour to establish a clear and sustainable way forward as soon as possible."

That has prompted Mrs Craft to deliver a rebuke to the Trust, saying its actions are disproportionate to the original problem.

She told Thurrock Nub News: "Catalyst Trust have completely gone off the deep end after I raised William's case in Parliament .

"They've written to parents putting all events on hold (including Christmas ones) while they review their policy - all I was asking was for them to meet me to try and find a way to accommodate this chronically disabled little boy and his family."

Calling on the Trust to review its decision, Mrs Craft added: "This is unbelievably bad action to take."

The message in full: