CedarBridge Academy principal Kalmar Richards has banned Harry Potter books from the classroom because she believes they can be detrimental to the minds of minors".

Mrs. Richards stepped in to withdraw the book after a parent complained when a teacher read excerpts to encourage students to read.

The best-selling books, about a boy wizard, have attracted controversy in many countries because they deal with witchcraft, and some Christians believe they contain satanic messages. It is believed the parent who complained to CedarBridge raised these concerns.

Mrs. Richards issued a statement last night, but would not elaborate on why she thought the books might be damaging to students.

The Ministry of Education said yesterday that the Harry Potter books were not on the curriculum and denied it supported censorship.

The statement said the ministry did not have any policy when it came to selecting school books, but the department had to be sensitive to the wishes of parents. There was a mixed reaction to the books in private schools yesterday, with some enthusiastically welcoming them because they encourage children to read, while others fear they deal with Satanism. Mrs. Richards said: "The Harry Potter books do not contain subject matter to support any of the courses taught at CedarBridge Academy, nor are these books essential for the delivery of any of these courses."

"In addition to this, the subject matter contained in these books can adversely impact on the impressionable minds of minors in our charge. The content in these books may also be of concern to parents.

"The decision not to support the use of Harry Potter books in delivering the curriculum at CedarBridge Academy is based on the fact that these books contain subject matter that is not aligned to any course content and that much of the subject matter within the books is of a nature that can be detrimental to the minds of minors and possibly have an adverse impact of them. We cannot afford to play with the minds of students as we take them through the serious and urgent process of educating them for their future.

"We are called to prepare the minds of students with knowledge and information that will facilitate positive academic growth and development.

"Harry Potter books do not fit this criterion, nor are the behaviours presented in these books in keeping with the school's vision of excellence for students."

The Ministry of Education said Mrs Richards consulted with the teacher after the complaint and it was agreed not to use the book. "The ministry does not advocate censorship, but rather seeks to encourage freedom of expression," said the statement.

"However, the ministry also acknowledges the responsibility of principals to determine the best means of achieving student progress while operating within school policy."

Roy Napier, the principal of the private Bermuda High School for Girls, said: "We are not teaching the book formally but we have copies in the library.

"We have no objection to teaching it and our Parent Teachers Association is sponsoring a film evening for parents who want to take their kids.

"It is a book which has encouraged a great number of children to read more intensively than they have done before, and intelligently handled by teachers and parents, it can be of great benefit."

But Kathleen Allers, the vice-principal of the Bermuda Institute, which is run by the Seventh Day Adventists, said: "We don't teach it. From what we can understand from the book, there are satanic themes and we are a Christian institution, so we don't encourage that."