76012-85ANGRY parents have told a headteacher to re-think her eco-project after she said pupils could only drink water in school.

Moyra Holmes, of Covingham Parks Infants, has banned all sugary drinks as well as sweets in a drive to boost concentration.

The ban forms part of the school's green ethos.

Staff are teaching all 148 pupils to think more about their health and the environment.

But Tony and Yvette Bennett, whose six-year-old son, Aiden, attends the school, says that his health is at risk.

Mrs Bennett, 33, from Covingham, says her son refuses to drink water and comes home moody and dehydrated.

The mother-of-four has accused the school of brainwashing and says Mrs Holmes is acting like a dictator.

Now she says she and her husband are thinking about finding another school.

Mrs Bennett said the final straw came when she heard pupils were smuggling fun-size chocolate bars into the classroom.

"Parents are being told what to do by children," said Mrs Bennett.

"We're now being told that children shouldn't bring any kind of packaging into school. We're supposed to empty food packets into cardboard boxes.

"We're just waiting to hear what we're supposed to do with yoghurt." Mrs Bennett thinks that parents should be allowed to decide what food their child eats.

She said: "It's a lovely school and I do think that Mrs Holmes has done a fantastic job. But I think she's gone over the top on this. She is being dictatorial.

"Children are stuffing chocolate bars and crisps under their jumpers so teachers don't see.

"My husband and I don't want our child to take fizzy pop in. He normally drinks barley water or fresh orange juice anyway.

"I have a note from our family GP explaining our problem but Mrs Holmes has ignored it.I think water should only be available in the classroom but they should be allowed to drink what they want at lunch."

Another parent, Andrea Webb, 28, also of Covingham, agreed.

She said: "It's getting ridiculous. The children are getting an ear-bashing about the environment nearly every day.

"My five-year-old son has become obsessed by it all. The latest thing they're moaning about is the kids' lunchboxes." Earlier this week the school held a special eco conference to discuss how pupils could do more to help make Swindon a healthier place.

Mrs Holmes said that she is proud of the school's eco stance and added that she will not be backing down.

"I am aware of the Bennetts' concerns but we have watched him (Aiden) drink water.

"The board of governors are supporting us on this.

"Our eco policy is a central part of our curriculum and it's something everyone at Covingham Infants is proud of.

"The relationship between the parents and the school is fundamental to the progress of the children.

"It seems that nothing the school can do will satisfy mother. She has lost all confidence in the school and that concerns me.

"I have asked Mrs Bennett to attend the school to discuss this matter."

Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said: "It is up to individual schools to put in place regulations for the type of refreshments that children have during the school day.

"Encouraging children to eat and drink healthily is a national priority and the council supports initiatives that promote this theme."

Kevin Shoesmith