Workington family's anger over school trip
Last updated at 06:55, Friday, 12 March 2010
A WORKINGTON couple are angry after their daughter was taken on a school trip despite them raising concerns that it could make her ill.
Phil Gray, a postman, has written to the school’s board of governors to complain about the incident.
Seven-year-old Naomi Gray’s year group was due to visit Rheged to watch a 3D film two weeks ago but the child, who suffers migraines, had been off sick the previous day.
Mr Gray said he told the school that he did not want her attending in case it triggered further problems.
The rest of the year group made the journey to Rheged but a problem with the film meant the showing was postponed until Monday.
Mr Gray said he understood that the school was aware that Naomi should not attend the rearranged trip.
However, his wife Fran, 36, deputy manager at Costa, heard from headteacher Pat Smith that, as she was better, she’d decided to send Naomi with her classmates.
Mr Gray, of Coniston Close, said: “We didn’t want her to go because 3D films have a tendency to cause headaches.
“We wanted her first trip to see one to be with us in case anything happened.
“Her migraines are quite bad and she has been on medication for over 18 months. The school is aware of this.”
“It’s disgusting when you trust your kids with the teachers.”
Mr Gray said he wanted a formal apology and something in place to stop it happening again to any child.
Mrs Smith said the school obtained parental permission for all trips at the start of the year.
She said parents should make it clear if they did not want their child to attend a specific visit.
In this case, she said, there had been a misunderstanding.
She added: “I am disappointed and upset that Mr Gray couldn’t come and speak to me directly because we have an open door policy.”
Parent governor Richard Banks, to whom Mr Gray gave his letter, said it had been passed to the chairman of governors for consideration.
He added: “The governing body and the school put the children’s welfare at the heart of what we do.”
First published at 19:27, Thursday, 11 March 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Mr Gray - take your daughter out of school if you are so incensed. You are in the wrong and the people on here agree. You have made it ten times worse for your daughter by acting as if you are on Jeremy Kyle. The school looks after your daughter well - if you think that they don't quietly put her in another school as you have shattered your relationship with the school now. Don't go to the papers - do what you think is right for your daughter.
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Parents should always be contactable by phone. As the school tried to contact you about the trip and couldn't then the responsibility is yours. Make sure you are always contactable in case of emergencies and then this can't happen again. I don't think it was necessary to contact the papers about this. I'm sure the school had your child's best interests at heart.
Posted by SW on 31 March 2010 at 21:42