Schools minister attacks Edensor Spainish trip [+VIDEO]
SCHOOLS minister Ed Balls has condemned a headteacher's decision to organise a four-day training trip for up to 80 of his teaching staff to Marbella.
The Government high flyer entered the row over Edensor Technology College's Spanish conference as the now aborted training trip made global headlines.
Headteacher Richard Mercer, who had not informed parents about the trip, had defended his decision by saying it was cheaper to hold the conference in Spain than in England.
But Mr Balls said it was unusual for schools to hold training sessions abroad.
He added: "I think most people will think that was a very, very strange decision.
"It's really important – especially in these difficult times – that everybody is responsible with the use of public money."
Mr Balls made his comments as a city councillor called for an audit of all city schools' expenditure, after it came to light that Edensor staff have flown to warmer climes for training sessions before.
Stoke and Trent Vale councillor Gavin Webb says a breakdown of all schools' expenditure and analysis of the benefits of trips over the past five years should be published.
He said: "I have been told that senior management at the school have on at least one occasion in recent years been abroad for training. This concerns me, and not solely because of the potential abuse of taxpayers' money.
"An investigation would clarify for parents where precisely school funds are being allocated."
Governors at Edensor are planning a meeting to discuss the issue. Governor Don Evans said: "I feel a little hurt and wounded. The attention will die down in time, but whether we will come back the same I don't know.
"We were informed it was cheaper to go abroad, but unfortunately when you have to close the school there are other considerations, and I have a list of questions for the headteacher."
Parents said they knew the school was closed yesterday and today for teacher training but did not know the training was being held abroad .
Patricia Grocott, aged 47, of Greendock Street, has children Robert, aged 15, Lisa, aged 14, and 11-year-old Laura at the school.
She said: "The staff didn't tell us anything about it and I will be going there next week to have my say.
"They were right to cancel the trip, but they shouldn't have organised it in the first place."
Lee Holmes, aged 36, of Greendock Street, whose 11-year-old son, Jordan, goes to the school, said: "I couldn't believe it and don't know how they thought they'd get away with it.
"It's bang out of order and I've had to have a day off work to look after my son."
Your reaction to the story in Word From The Web: Page 9; Comment: Page 10
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by adam, newcastle
Friday, October 03 2008, 7:46PM
“alexhough stockport, your comment about staff being refreshed do you think the amount of money this head teacher has spent of tax payers money is good value ?
as looking at the timetable ref training the staff were only going to be doing just 6 hours of training over the 4 days most of the time was free time.
Dinner and Lunch
This money i feel could have been better spent.”
by Anthony, Weathers
Friday, October 03 2008, 7:30PM
“Edensor is one of the most successful schools in the city. As a parent I do not care where my children's teachers train as long as the children get a good education. The amount of money spent on this training would probably not buy Ed Balls a minsterial lunch. It is rather sickening to see Meredith spouting on about wasting taxpayer's money when he has made a career out of wasting money.
Finally Warren can you check my spelling?”
by Nicky Davis, Trentham
Friday, October 03 2008, 7:29PM
“So Ed Balls is willing to weigh in here on this issue, but doesn't care at all about the shambles being made of BSF in SOT. Does that mean he is responsible for the BSF shambles then? The executive here blame government and government say it's a local issue. So who's fault is it?”
by anon, Bentilee
Friday, October 03 2008, 7:14PM
“I would rather my children went to a successful school rather than a failing one irrespective of where the staff training takes place. Let us not forget this school is very successful. Warren can you check my spelling?”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Friday, October 03 2008, 4:14PM
“What the hell, I have not been nowhere near you kids for christ sake. I simpley what to know where my ruddy hard won tax moneys gone to, and who the hell is to blame. If the headmaster gets the od' tin tack, I would think that the apountment of a new head wold be swift and smooth, so as not to disrupt your childs eduaction, which is indeed upmost inportance in anyones mind.”
by E.B., Stoke
Friday, October 03 2008, 1:33PM
“Parent, Longton.Instead of blaming Warren for affecting your childs education perhaps you should be looking closer to home,AT YOURSELF.
If,as in this case my childrens teachers were being taken on
a JOLLY every year,I would see to it that it was stopped,and the money was spent on the children,Not on extra holidays for already over paid
head teachers.How can anyone justify spending a small fortune on these JOLLYS
when this cities finances are falling apart,schools are closing,as are nursing homes.
The school was closed why did they not have the training programme there.IT STINKS.”
by anon, stoke-on-trent
Friday, October 03 2008, 1:25PM
“Cllr Webb is being fare to the tax payers, all public money spend should be audited fully with access from the public. No its not jealousy, if fact I would like the kids & parents to have had the chance of some these trips. Most people are too poor in this city to get a life Chris, thats why all money spent should be best value.”
by Tony, pitsnpots.blogspot.com
Friday, October 03 2008, 1:23PM
“n the words of the famous song "should i stay or should i go?"
The city deserve an answer! We are blogging on this today at pitsnpots and will carry an online poll. Who goes? You Decide!”
by Paul, Stoke-on-Trent
Friday, October 03 2008, 12:23PM
“I fully support Stoke and Trent Vale councillor Gavin Webb call for an analysis of the schools use of budgets going back 5 years.
There have been around 3 or 4 trips to Spain for training. The head has been to Estonia, Singapore, China, Pakistan and America and some more than once.
Then there was budget used to create the electronic learning resources, what has happened to them.”
by Parent, Longton
Friday, October 03 2008, 12:02PM
“Frankly anyone uttering the words "jolly" is suffering from jealousy. I am totally convinced that every single one of you shouting this rubbish would be the first ones in the queue at the airport check in, had you the chance to do so. Now you're doing a smashing job at trying to ruin the school that our kids go to. They're a whole lot more important than your opinion Warren, if you shouting your mouth off affect my childs education in any way then you're damaging things more than this foolish decision already has. I'm sure that there's plenty to investigate, but your idea of some sort of headhunting rout is as ridiculous as the standard of your English.”