The parent, who wished not to be named, said pupils were unable to witness the ‘rare phenomenon’ as blinds were closed on the orders of Hermitage Academy’s head teacher.

However, a spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said that before the eclipse on March 20, staff and pupils at schools across the region were ‘advised not to look directly at the sun’, as it can be unsafe.

The parent contacted the Advertiser this week and said that science teachers who had taken pupils outside to view the eclipse were told to go back indoors, so the pupils were unable to view the rare event.

He said: “On Friday, March 20 the British Isles and Europe witnessed a rare phenomenon; the first spring-time solar eclipse in three centuries.

“Not so the pupils at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh. On the orders of head teacher Geoff Urie, classroom blinds were drawn to prevent pupils from witnessing this rare phenomenon.

“Science teachers who had ventured into the playground with their pupils to eagerly engage in an eclipse related ‘science lesson’ were sent back indoors and censured for such an insubordinate display of creativity.” He said that the school was not allowing pupils the opportunity to have ‘deeper understanding’ of the science behind the eclipse.

He said: “Surely the idea is to provide school pupils with a deeper understanding of the science behind such ‘wonders’.

“I thought Hermitage Academy was supposed to be an educational establishment not a penal colony.

“My son is a pupil at Hermitage Academy and I fear that the well-rounded and inquisitive mind I had hoped would emerge from this ‘School of Champions’ will be lost.” He added that news reports of Friday and Saturday were full of children at schools learning about the eclipse – so it did not make sense than pupils in Argyll and Bute were not able to have the same experience.

The parent said: “The news the next day was full of stories about kids getting enthused about it.” The spokeswoman for the local authority told the Advertiser the children’s safety was paramount.

She said: “Prior to the solar eclipse, staff and pupils at all schools in Argyll and Bute were advised not to look directly at the sun, even if wearing sunglasses, as this can cause damage to the eyes.

“There is no safe method for the public to look at an eclipse directly, even using equipment such as cameras, binoculars, or telescopes.”