Parents of pupils at a primary school have threatened to keep their children away after a teacher went to coronavirus-hit Singapore during half term.

Fears have been raised about the risk of infection at Holywell Primary School in Upchurch, near Sittingbourne.

Pupils went back today but the teacher concerned is not expected to return until tomorrow.

One mum, who did not want to be named, said: "It's terrifying, to be honest.

"There have already been people keeping their children off.

"Mums have requested meetings with the head saying they are not happy for their child to return to school.

"I can't believe he's allowed to return to work."

She called on the school to take a more cautious approach by ordering the teacher to stay away for 14 days – the length of time it is thought to take for symptoms of coronavirus to develop.

In response, Holywell's head teacher, Darran Callaghan, said the school was following guidelines set out by health officials.

He added: “A member of staff who had travelled to Singapore arrived back in the UK at the weekend and has not developed any symptoms associated with novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

“The school has closely followed Public Health England guidance, which states that if a staff member who has travelled to Singapore in the last 14 days is currently well, they do not need to self-isolate unless they develop symptoms and they may return to work.

“The employee knows what to do if they become unwell.

“The safety and well-being of all our pupils and staff is of paramount importance at all times and we will continue to follow PHE guidance as well as reminding all members of our school community to follow basic hygiene advice, including washing hands regularly.”

In an email to parents, Mr Callaghan said he and the teacher involved had sought advice about his trip before he went.

There was no "legal reason" to require the staff member to isolate himself unless he felt unwell, it read.

He said he understood that the teacher's return "may still cause anxiety for some parents about sending your child into school", but that it had taken the necessary advice and the situation would be monitored.

It added: "Unfortunately the school will not authorise any absence should parents or carers choose not to send their children to school."

The Holywell mum added: "It's really bad the way it has been dealt with. None of the other parents knew – only those in the year group he teaches.

"My child will not be going in."

Earlier this month, parents in Ramsgate were told they could take their children out of school after a teacher returned from virus-hit Singapore.

The St Lawrence College employee had not shown any symptoms but head of senior school, David Jackson, said: "Having taken advice, we feel we must act quickly and cautiously to reduce any potential risk of transmission."

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