Not content with breathing fire, having magical powers and taking a starring role in the television show Game of Thrones, dragons are now intent on spoiling children’s education.

One primary down in Essex worked hard to spark students’ imaginations with the discovery of a giant “dragon’s egg” in its grounds. To keep the mystery alive, the headteacher wrote to parents about the find on the school website. The creative project, part of “problem-solving” week, led to some fantastic work by children researching, writing, drawing and working in teams.

But although the fire-breather proved an inspiration to older pupils, some of the younger ones were worried. What if the mother returned to the egg or it hatched with terrible consequences?

Parents and teachers rushed to reassure the children that the project was only a game. But as all this was unfolding, one child with particularly powerful eyesight told his classmates that he had spotted a dragon circling the school. More upset.

So, to be clear: the egg was just a way to inspire children. It wasn’t really laid in Essex by a fire-breathing monster. Nevertheless, for frightening children and taking the gloss off some excellent teaching, it’s off to the naughty step with dragonkind.