ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

A school has reportedly banned whistles from being blown at the end of playtime over fears the sound they make is "too aggressive".

Staff at the primary in Milton Keynes are said to have made the move because they are worried children would be "afraid of the noise".

Instead of using a whistle to signify the end of breaks, staff at St Monica's Catholic Primary School must instead raise a hand in the air to get the attention of pupils.

The ban was revealed in a letter to Country Life magazine by teaching assistant Pamela Cunningham, the Sunday Times reported.

Buckingham University's Professor Alan Smithers told the paper: "We have become extraordinarily over- sensitive. Does this means children are not going to be able to play football and hockey because the referees use whistles? What about fire alarms? Sharp noises are very good signals. This seems crazy to me.”

The Evening Standard has contacted Milton Keynes council for comment.