Schools across the country have reportedly started banning kids from playing in the snow and having snowball fights sparking cries that 'elf n safety' has gone mad.

Ges Smith, from the Jo Richardson Community School in Dagenham, East London, appeared on Good Morning Britain to defend a controversial rule stopping children touching snow all together.

Other schools have banned snowball fights, but Mr Smith appears to have been the only head to have gone this far.

He explained: "It only takes one student, one piece of grit, one stone in a snowball in an eye, with an injury and we change our view."

The headteacher claimed that playing in the snow leaves children wet and "unfit for school".

However, he has been slammed for being for taking it too far.

Geoff Barton, a headmaster of 15 years., current general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL),told the Press Association: “Playing with snowballs is a part of childhood, even though it can be dangerous.

“I always thought it was a great opportunity for children who don’t see that much snow to have fun.

“It gives them a chance to experience what lots of us remember from our own childhoods."

Explaining how teachers would police snowball fights, Mr Barton said: "We had a large playing field where pupils could throw snowballs, away from the school, buildings and cars. It legitimises a safe place for it to happen.

“All the staff would be out at breaks so we could have a civilised day of children hurling snow at each other rather than wintery anarchy.”

People have been quick to turn to social media to criticise the banning of snowball fights, with many claiming it is "just what you do when it snows."

One person said: "It's dangerous throwing them at cars but used to love a good snowball fight in school!"

What do you think? Should snowball fights be banned in schools? Let us know in the comments below.