School cancels teacher training in Spain

A secondary school's teacher training trip to Spain has been cancelled, it was announced today.

Teaching staff at Edensor Technology College, in Longton, Staffordshire, were due to fly out to Marbella today for a two-day conference.

But the trip has now been called off, because "pressure from media interest" meant it would be "unfair" to pupils, staff and parents, headmaster Richard Mercer said today.

The training, which was due to take place tomorrow and Saturday, will now be held in the school.

In a statement he said: "Following the recent publicity concerning the proposed visit to Marbella for training purposes by staff from Edensor Technology College, it has been decided to cancel the trip.

"The training programme will now take place at the school over the next two days.

"It was felt that due to the pressure from media interest in the trip it would be unfair to the staff, the pupils and parents."

Around 80 members of the teaching staff were to check into the Andalucia Plaza Marbella Hotel until Sunday, the Stoke Sentinel revealed yesterday.

The trip was greeted with anger by parents, whose children would have been off school while the teachers are away at the beachside resort.

Andy Sales, 34, of Fenton, said: "Why isn't this money being spent on our kids?

"Parents are having to take time off work or are paying for extra childcare while the staff are enjoying the sun at the school's expense."

Mr Mercer told the Stoke Sentinel it was "more cost-effective" to go abroad as it is the end of Marbella's peak season.

He said: "If parents think this is a 'jolly', they should join us and find out how hard the staff work."

In a further statement, released through Stoke-on-Trent City Council yesterday, Mr Mercer said the school budget allows for an annual whole staff conference.

He said governors had considered nine quotes from the UK and abroad and the Marbella hotel was "the best value for money".

The trip was booked 10 months ago, he said.

The 380-room four-star hotel boasts three swimming pools, a sauna, a casino and a cocktail bar.

The school declined to comment on the cost of the trip.