A growing number of schools are choosing to modernise their end-of-term performances, offering mixed-faith retellings, or festive shows, some without any religious themes at all.
Supporters say classrooms look markedly different in 21st century Britain, and school productions should reflect that diversity.
At the Oasis Academy Wattville Primary School in Birmingham, the Christmas performance looks and sounds unconventional.
Children dance with red flags, drum to festive rhythms, and use sign language to sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas in a show designed to include every pupil.
Headteacher Renu Samuels says inclusion is the priority.
“It’s not just about being a Christian country,” she says. “It’s also about celebrating the richness of everything else around it and making sure that every religion, every culture, every belief is celebrated.”
The school is home to children who speak 52 languages, with families from across the world and a wide range of beliefs.
“We have a diverse community and diverse pupils,” she explains.
“What we hold very close to our hearts is inclusion. It’s about celebrating not just differences, but what makes us similar.”
Some schools that attempted to move away from the traditional nativity have faced fierce criticism.
A school in Inverness, Scotland, has been subjected to racist abuse online and, as a result, abandoned their alternative nativity which included the story of a refugee from Syria.
Muhammed Ilyas, a parent at Oasis Academy Wattville Primary, says the backlash reflects wider tensions in society.
“Racism nowadays is a big problem in this country,” he says. “Some far-right parties just want to create an environment that fuels it. We want to integrate in a positive manner, not a negative one.”
Many schools are choosing to keep things firmly traditional.
At Malden Parochial Church of England (CofE) Primary School, in Worcester Park, south London, the nativity remains a key part of end-of-term celebrations.
Headteacher Lucy McMullan says the Christian story itself carries powerful messages. But as a Church of England headteacher, she is open about the school’s Christian foundation.
“Everybody’s welcome,” she says. “But we do talk about the everlasting love of the Christian faith.”
Ms McMullan also said about the nativity that “the day after Jesus was born, Joseph was told to flee to another country, so they instantly became refugees”.
Parents at the school say the traditional approach is valued and want it to stay that way.
“I think our children do need to understand what’s happening in the world around them,” says parent Rachael.
“But to politicise something for children is not always the best thing to do.”
Sully, another parent at Malden Parochial CofE primary, agrees, saying: “I don’t think the nativity should be a source of politics or involved in those debates.
“Children should be able to enjoy and express themselves. There’s a time and a place for those [topics] to be exposed to children.”
The Bishop of Stockport, Bishop Sam Corley, believes there is room for both tradition and creativity.
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Speaking to Sky News, he said: “One of the brilliant things is seeing how teachers work with children to explore the story.
“The nativity shows there’s a place for all of us,” he says.
“It wasn’t the rich and powerful who were there first. It was the poor, the outsiders, people who looked and spoke differently. It’s a story of inclusion, peace, and joy, for the whole world.”
