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Parents were told if they refused to send children as young as eight to a ­workshop on Islam then a “racial discrimination note” would be attached to pupils’ files.

Angry mums and dads were sent a letter by Littleton Green Community School, in Huntingdon, Staffs, warning their children would be considered racist if they did not go on the school trip.

The visit to Staffordshire University - for Year 4 and Year 6 pupils - had been arranged as part of the children’s “cultural education”.

Headteacher Lynn Small wrote to parents and said if kids did not attend a note would be made on the pupil’s records and would remain there for their school careers.

Littleton Green school later withdrew the threat. But mum Tracy Ward was shocked by the letter.

She said: "To be told my kids have got to attend this workshop is disgusting.

“Everyone should have a choice but that’s my opinion and I don’t want a stain on my kids’ record as a result.

“They are not old enough to be called racist.”

Another parent Gillian Claridge, 55, added: “To be told we had to pay for the trip as well was just a kick in the teeth.

“How dare they threaten to brand the children racist at such a young age. Its going to make them feel like little criminals.

“The very nature of religion is all about choice - on this occasion they were not being given any choice at all.

“It was draconian move and its left a lot of parents fuming.”

The school made a U-turn and withdrew the threat after council chiefs intervened. A letter from the head to parents apologised for “inaccuracies” in the previous correspondence.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson slammed the original move - labelling it “bonkers”.

He said: “The idea of attaching a ‘racial discrimination note’ to children’s education records saying it will remain on their file for the duration for their school career seems unfair, particularly when it is no the child’s decision whether or not he or she attends.

“It seems a very heavy-handed approach.”

Defending the decision Mrs Small said that exposing the pupils to other faiths was part of the school’s statutory duty.

She said: “We are a mainly Christian school, but we have to cover at least one other religion as part of the national curriculum.

“This visit is part of that.

“They would not be taking part in any religious practices. We have had similar workshops on a variety of religions in the past - including one on Islam with no problems at all and the children have absolutely loved it ."