cryptogon.com

Children as young as 10 – including one whose dad is said to have been shot dead – were left in tears as a science teacher was ‘gunned down’ in the playground.

But it turned out to be a stunt organised as part of a science project at Blackminster Middle School in Evesham.

Colleagues pretended to try and resuscitate ‘victim’ Richard Kent as the traumatised kids were led away.

Ten minutes later he was paraded unharmed before the stunned youngsters in the school hall.

Headteacher Terry Hollands told Sky News Online that Mr Kent is a popular teacher who often “plays the dame”.

He has admitted the violent role play was “a step too far” amid complaints from parents.

Horrified pupils have posted comments about the stunt on social networking site Facebook.

One called it “sick”, while another wrote: “Most of us were so scared we were crying.”

Mr Hollands has apologised for upsetting the children and vowed not to repeat the trick, in which a clapper board was used to simulate gunfire.

He said: “On reflection the time lag between the clapper board and the hall was too long.”

“It should have been seconds rather than minutes so it was made instantly clear what had happened.”