text: Primary school children have been banned from running in the playground in case they fall over and injure themselves. Pupils at Riverview Junior School in Gravesend, Kent were told they could not move around too quickly because they might bump their heads. Parents are furious about the ban - saying that children need to 'let off steam' during their breaks as well as getting exercise by running around. Banned: Pupils including Bradley, Luca, Mia and Diesel (pictured left to right) have been told they cannot run in the playground at Riverview Junior School in Gravesend . Rachael Sparks said that her 11-year-old son Diesel had returned home upset after being told not to run outside at school. She said that she checked with headmistress Pam Wenbam, because she could not believe that it was true, before realising that a ban had in fact been imposed. 'I went in to school to speak to them as I thought he must have misunderstood,' Ms Sparks said. 'What else is a playground for in a primary school if not for running around and letting off a bit of steam? 'I was lucky enough to get to speak to the head, Ms Wenban. I said, "I just want to clarify if this is true." 'She started off by saying we've asked them to slow down a bit, but then it transpired that they had banned running.' Safety: Staff at the school, pictured, say they are trying to crack down on a dangerous 'chasing' game . The school claims that the ban is intended to tackle a specific 'chasing' game which has caused children to hurt themselves. Ms Sparks said: 'She went on to say that due to some children not looking where they were going, there had been incidents of bumped heads. 'She claimed due to this it was her duty of care towards the children that had prompted her to ban running. They are not allowed to play British Bulldog, they are not allowed to play football. 'I know children do get the occasional bump to the head or grazed knee while running around on the playground but having spoken to a number of parents as well as children, 100 per cent of both expressed that running and getting the occasional minor injury was most definitely preferable to not running at all. 'I don't want to run the school down but I think it is a step too far. Kids have been bumping their heads and grazing their knees for hundreds of years.' Ms Wenband said: 'We have asked children to refrain from playing a particular chasing game in the playground as we have found the increasing numbers taking part has caused some injuries, including a fractured collarbone. 'We are concerned for the safety of the children and need to stop this particular game until we can establish a safer way for them to play. 'When the weather is dry and sunny children can run and play more safely on the school playing field.'
target: Pupils at Riverview Junior School in Gravesend are not allowed to run .
  Teachers say the new rule is designed to stop them hurting themselves .
  Parents are furious that children aren't allowed to 'let off steam'