BBC News Online: Education

Head's concern over 'fat' pupil

The letter was written after Georgina Beauchamp was said to have struggled to get out of the swimming pool during a PE lesson.

But Mr Stirling Beauchamp, 43, and his wife, Shirley, 37, expressed outrage at the letter.

Mrs Beauchamp said Georgina's weight was down to her metabolism and denied her daughter had a weight problem.

"We are not worried about her weight. I will admit she is a bit chubby but she's very fit and active and can do anything other kids can do as far as I'm concerned.

'Out of order'

"She gets stick in the playground sometimes but you don't expect to cop it from the head teacher as well. We thought it was out of order.

Gloucestershire County Council said the letter was written sympathetically with concern for the child's welfare.

"The school has offered help and advice which the parents can choose to accept or not," a spokeswoman said.

"In all these cases schools will try to deal with the issues sensitively and are obviously unable to discuss individual cases," she said.

Union backing

The head teacher's union - the National Association of Head Teachers - defended his right to tell parents of concerns about the health of a pupil.

General secretary, David Hart, said: "I can't understand what all the fuss is about.

"It would have been wrong for the head not to have drawn the attention of the parents to this and asked them if they wished for advice."

According to the British Nutrition Foundation, the average five year old should weigh between three stone and three stone eight pounds.