An emergency lockdown drill, when children as young as four were told to hide under their desks and remain silent, held at Westbury Leigh Primary School two days after the first Paris terrorist attack, has been defended by its headteacher.

Head Debbie Grimsey said the decision to hold a ‘lockdown/sheltering practice’ was not done in response to the Paris shootings, in which 12 people died, but was a routine part of school life.

But not all parents agree, with more than 100 comments on social media this week condemning the drill. Others posted in support of the school’s actions, saying it was better for it to have an action plan in place.

One parent, Kimberley Turner, posted on Facebook: “My son learned what a terrorist was from school last week – he’s seven.

“Since then I have found one of his drawings of a terrorist holding an axe with an injured person covered in blood.

“I’m terrified he’s going to Google it and be met with some o the recent beheading videos etc. It’s too young to learn about terrorists at this age, let them be kids.”

Other parents took to Facebook to defend the school’s decision. Kayleigh Nelmes said: “In recent light of what has happened in Paris I think it’s a great idea! You may think it’s not ever going to happen here but God forbid what if it does?”

Mother Beth Hill posted: “I think it was a good idea, and the children were fully informed of the procedure, my daughter told me all about it. I can remember doing similar when I was at school, well done WL.”

This week Mrs Grimsey confirmed parents and staff are never warned in advance of the lockdown drills, which were established at the school in January 2012.

Asked if she thought it was bad timing, Mrs Grimsey said: “The coincidence of timings with recent Paris events is not related.

“This is a regular part of school life, with pupils and staff responding positively.

“Practicing emergency responses is an important part of ensuring the school is well equipped to deal with an emergency.

“As always, our priority is to keep children safe and parents should be assured by the measures we put in place to do so.”

Grandfather Alan Gibbins, of Heather Shaw, Trowbridge, is another who believes such a drill has no place in school.

Mr Gibbins said: “My two grandchildren went to school last Friday and had a practice lockdown. One of my grandchildren is four and the other is seven and they were told to get under their desks and remain silent.

“Although the drill did not specially mention terrorist attacks, I still think it is ridiculous.

“If we were living in Israel or the US then it might make sense, but why worry children like this in Westbury Leigh? It’s over the top and I’m concerned about the affect it will have on the children.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We provide schools with guidance on dealing with major incidents, and it is best practice for all schools to regularly test their contingency plans.”