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• Pupils were writing letters to Santa when teacher told them he didn't exist
• Christchurch Junior School headteacher issues official retraction
  
• 'Scrooge' teacher is 'absolutely mortified' and 'could not be more sorry'
  

By Sean O'hare

PUBLISHED: 07:13 EST, 7 December 2012 | UPDATED: 08:53 EST, 7 December 2012

A school teacher has been blasted by furious parents after he told junior school pupils that Santa Claus did not exist as they wrote their letters to him.

The teacher was taking a literacy lesson which involved the children, aged eight and nine, writing a letter to Father Christmas.

During the class he told the youngsters that the man bringing them presents just wasn't real - and the Year Four pupils were left devastated.

The school in Christchurch, Dorset, has now been met with a stream of complaints from furious parents.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: 'This teacher has upset all our children'.

Headteacher Simon Adorian admitted that the teacher had made a mistake following what he described as an 'awkward exchange with pupils' after one of them quizzed him over Santa's existence.

Speaking to Mail Online, he said: 'He responded clumsily and didn't do his best.

'He was asked whether he existed and responded in a way, and with a look, that gave them doubt.

'He made a mistake, but we have covered it up, just as you do with children and they haven't asked about it anymore.'

He added that the teacher was 'mortified' by what had happened.

'I have probably never spoken to someone who is feeling as sorry as this teacher, said Mr Adorian.

'He is extremely sorry about it, nothing like this has ever happened before, we celebrate Christmas as traditionally as other schools.

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'Children left the room saying to their parents that Santa Claus isn't really real, which upset them, and that is the last thing I want.'

Royal Mail has offered some consolation to parents desperately trying to keep the spirit of Christmas alive, with a reminder on their website that letters to Santa must be sent by December 14th at the latest.

The message from Santa reads: 'Santa is extremely busy at the North Pole, making sure all the presents, including yours, are ready and wrapped for Christmas Eve.

'It’s a very exciting time for all; Rudolph and Santa can’t wait to land at your home with all your gifts.

'Rudolph is especially looking forward to eating the carrots you kindly leave and maybe a mince pie for Santa…

'Santa will respond to as many letters as possible, in between getting the sleigh ready for the long journey on Christmas Eve.

To ensure Santa receives your letter on time please can you send to the following address no later than December 14th, and include your full name and address: Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1'.

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