Parents hit out over trip to Marbella
PARENTS have criticised a headteacher's decision to take his staff on a trip to Spain.
Up to 80 teaching staff at Edensor Technology College, in Longton, were due to fly to Marbella for a four-day trip to plan their pupils' education last week.
-
Edensor Technology College
Rooms and facilities were booked at a four-star hotel.
Headteacher Richard Mercer told The Sentinel it was more cost-effective to hold the two-day conference abroad because it was booked a year ago.
But the trip was cancelled following a national outcry and the school is now trying to recover its costs.
Parents believe it should not have been planned at all.
Sam Hill's son, two nephews and a godson attend the school.
The 31-year-old full-time mum, of Churchfield Avenue, Dresden, said: "I think the whole idea of the trip was disgusting.
"Some parents would have had to have time off work to look after their children while the school was shut."
Joy Carpenter said the school should not be closed at this time of year.
The foster carer, aged 38, of Weston Coyney, said: "My daughter is about to start her GCSEs at Edensor, so I think it is a very bad time for the school to close for two days. "Extra revision classes have just started so staff and children need to be in school."
The school was using two of its five annual training days for the trip to Marbella.
5 Comments
by Kirsty, S-o-t
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 7:40PM
“Considering on how hard teachers work in planning for students and teaching the pupils i dont see the harm in them going away for training days, Its ok parents monaing and other people but if they got offered the opportunity they wouldnt turn it down and thats a fact!! People should stop thinking the worst and let these people have fun and freedom in there job, they dont just work in school but most of them take it home with them.”
by Anthony, Home
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 5:24PM
“Jamila the school would have been closed even if the training was outside on the yard. DOH. Pat the school hall is fine but no one would work unpaid on a weekend to train in a school hall.
Ask where SERCO have sent staff in the last year for training. Ask where the council members and the elected Mayor have been in the last year. This type of out of workplace training in luxury hotels and conference centres has been going on for years.”
by PAUL, Stoke-on-Trent
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 4:00PM
“Well lets put it another way, can the school advise on whether guest speakers Richard Gerver, an education consultant, and curriculum expert Bill Watkin were present for the training days.
If they were not and had gone to Spain how are the school proposing to get their refund for their trip?”
by Pat, Leek
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 1:52PM
“Why can't they use the school hall for training days to save even more money?”
by jamila, longton
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 12:18PM
“i think its discusting that the school was closed for 2 days as when our kids have time off they are soon on our backs about it and to take a trip to spain for it is even worse the school should be ashamed.”