Pupils hopping mad at Brierley Hill school bunny ban
They cared for, fed and even named rabbits Fudge and Freckles - but pupils are now hopping mad after the two pets were taken out of their classroom to live at their teacher's home.
Children have written a letter to their headteacher, made posters and even held placard-waving marches chanting the animals names around the playground in protest at their removal.
Parents of the children at Peters Hill Primary School in Brierley Hill have also criticised the school, which announced the exclusion of the rabbits to pupils in the Year 5 class.
Headteacher Dr Neil Hopkin said the rabbits, which were delivered as a Christmas present to the class, were judged to be 'too big' for the classroom and were now being cared for at a teacher's home.
Dr Hopkin said: "One of our ongoing schemes is a nurture project. To teach pupils about care and responsibility each year group has an animal which they look after at school. They include stick insects and hamsters. For Year 5, it was decided to bring in two rabbits.
"Unfortunately when the rabbits were brought into school it was clear that they were too big to live comfortably in the classroom.
"For the good of their welfare it was agreed that they would be far more comfortable living and being cared for at the teacher's home." But parents have criticised the decision.
Parent Emma Perks, aged 31, of Hern Road in Brierley Hill, whose three children Jay, four, Blake, seven, and Harlie, 10, attend the school said: "My daughter was really looking forward to caring for the animals - what message does it send out to introduce them and then take them away?"
Lynn Cabanillas, aged 48, has an eight-year-old son called Charlie Weaver who attends the school.
She said: "These are young children and the rabbits would have meant a great deal to them."
Julie Dean, aged 36, said: "The school is great for new ideas like bringing animals in the class, but it's not very nice to then remove them for the kids." Several parents have written a letter to Dr Hopkin, asking for the animals to be returned.
One parent, who asked not to be named, said the children had held their own protest with marches at lunchtime and their own letter sent to the head.
The 38-year-old said: "It is not a great lesson to children, giving them the responsibility of an animal, but then taking it away."
The school has had some support from parents.
Rebecca Jeavons, aged 34, has one child at the school. She said: "The parents have got to look at it as a learning curve for the children."
Dr Hopkins said the school was now in discussion about drawing up a shortlist for a replacement animal for the Year 5 class.
