Life for youngsters at Northlands Primary School is all work and no play, an angry mother claimed yesterday.

And now Kathy Smith wants Government action to provide playground equipment at the school, which opened its doors as part of the new-style education system two weeks ago.

Ms Smith -- speaking for a host of parents who complained about the problem at a Parent Teachers Association last week -- said: "We're quite upset about this.

"There's nothing there for them except a field and a small parking lot area.

The children have to take it in turns to play on the field.

"The Ministry of Education promised us all this stuff and they shouldn't have opened the school if it wasn't there.'' Ms Smith, of Pembroke, whose 10-year-old daughter Verlisia is at the school, said that the PTA meeting had been told that equipment might be installed by January next year.

But she said: "I think something really needs to be done about this by Christmas -- it's unacceptable.'' Ms Smith said her daughter was set to leave Northlands for one of the new middle schools.

But she added: "It's unfair on the the younger children who don't have a slide or a swing to play on.'' Northlands was one of the former secondary schools re-opened as a primary school under the new schools system.

No-one from the Ministry of Education could be contacted for comment yesterday.

But Northlands principal Dale Butler admitted there were problems with play facilities at the school.

He said: "It's a very real and genuine concern which unfortunately we can't do anything about at the moment.

"The priority was first of all to ensure that the children had a good learning environment.

"And if they'd had the playground ready rather than the classrooms, parents would have been even more upset.'' Mr. Butler, however, said Government architects had visited the school with a view to "putting in play equipment as soon as possible.'' Mr. Butler added: "We are doing the best we can, but you can't produce a playground overnight -- you need finance and expert design.'' He pointed out that suitable equipment would have to be imported and consultation with staff and parents carried out.

Mr. Butler added that, from the point of view of noise disruption and safety, construction work could only be carried out, at the earliest, during the Christmas break.

Mr. Butler added: "Ninety percent of the parents were pleased with the changes made within the building and the classrooms -- but the overwhelming concern was the playground.

"Government really tried to do as much as they could and we are trying the best we can to keep the children occupied.

"But I think every school will be suffering some sort of problem during the restructuring period.''