A school has apologised after primary pupils were left in tears when they were told they might not see their parents again after a 'big event' in London.

Children at Newington Church of England Primary School in Sittingbourne, Kent, were in assembly when they were told 'something big' had happened in London.

The kids, aged 4 to and 11, were told they were being evacuated and being taken off in 'transporters' - and that they might not be able to see their parents.

Although it is not clear exactly what children were told, parents believe their children thought London had been hit by a terror attack - where some of their parents work.

A school has apologised after primary pupils were left in tears during an assembly when they were told they might not see their parents again after a 'big event' in London (stock)

According to parents, children were left in tears after being told they might not see their loved ones - and that they faced 'being separated'.

School chiefs said Friday's assembly was part of a 'week of learning' about the charity Christian Aid.

They said the 'scare story' - designed to make children think about the plight of refugees fleeing disasters and civil war - was not discussed with senior staff.

Michael Theodorou, whose stepson goes to the school, said the children at the 155-pupil school were left feeling 'very distressed'.

He told the Sittingbourne News newspaper: 'The kids were all told that something big had happened in London and that transporters were coming to pick them up.

'They then said they didn't know if their parents would know where they were being taken and might not be able to see them and they would be separated from their friends and family.

'At the end they noticed most of the children in the school were disturbed and distressed.'

He added: 'Most of the parents have complained to the school.'

Children at Newington Church of England Primary School in Sittingbourne, Kent, were in assembly when they were told 'something big' had happened in London

Julie Hardy, who has a son in Year 4, said many kids were traumatised, adding: 'A Year 1 teacher got up and told them they were being evacuated and had no time to see parents before but hopefully they'd find them.

'Everyone was crying and all the girls were upset that they weren't going to see their mums.'

One parent, who asked not to be named, said that the assembly was a 'complete disaster' and had 'seriously affected' some children.

She added: 'Whoever thought it was a good idea to terrify young children that they might not see their parents again needs their head examined.

'The kids thought that something really bad had happened - they watch Newsround, so many of them know about terror attacks and bombs.'

The kids, aged 4 to and 11, were told they were being evacuated and being taken off in 'transporters' - and that they might not be able to see their parents

The children were only told the story was 'not true' after the assembly - when many were already in tears.

School chiefs apologised this week and sent a letter to all parents stating that the assembly was done 'with the best of intentions', but that it had 'not been discussed beforehand with senior staff'.

A spokesman for the school told MailOnline: 'In hindsight, although this message should have been delivered in a more appropriate manner it was provided with the best of intentions and discussions and training will take place with staff to ensure that it will not happen again.

'The children have been reassured that this was a fictional activity and have been apologised to.

'We apologise for any upset [the children] may have experienced and wish to reiterate our aim to provide a safe and happy environment for your children to learn and flourish.'