Alarm over final Potter reading

Ms Banfield read out passages during assembly

A headteacher caused some distress by reading to about 400 children from the last page of the final Harry Potter book at a primary school in Somerset.

One pupil at St John's School in Midsomer Norton is reported to have covered his ears after headteacher Carolyn Banfield began the reading.

Another child said: "They didn't want to hear it that much - they said that spoils the book."

The school said the passage reflected the theme of saying goodbye.

It added it felt the reading would not spoil the children's enjoyment and that the text was used as a way of illustrating how uncertainty can sometimes accompany new beginnings.

It is unclear exactly what words were read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the last day of term.

Ms Banfield is currently on holiday.