THE headteacher of Farnham Heath End School has apologised to parents for failing to observe a two-minute silence at the school on Tuesday in memory of the Queen Mother.
David Hoggins said he regrets the decision and with hindsight "didn't get it right".
"I have held special assemblies on the Queen Mother this week. I had just returned from holiday and probably underestimated the strength of public feeling, but I could come up with a number of excuses.
"The point is I am annoyed with myself because with we should have observed the silence. Usually we mark these occasions and often take the children to church."
The failure to observe the silence sparked a number of complaints from parents, including a mother with two daughters at the school, who did not wish to be named,
She felt the failure to observe the silence was ill informed and showed a lack of respect.
"Heath End observes Remembrance Day and held a silence after the events of September 11th. I was told it involved too much organisation this time but I can't see how ringing a bell and standing silently involves much fuss.
"It seems other schools have paid their respects, Crondall even closed for the day. The general feeling, whether royalist or not, is that respect should be paid to the Queen Mother.
"I think it's terrible that pupils did not have the option to observe the silence; it's not as if they're not old enough. It's a lack of respect and I will probably complain to the governors."