Aggggggggrr ---- BP going through the Roof

ShiftZZ · 02-10-2008, 12:20 PM

Teachers' Marbella trip cancelled

The school had said the trip was needed to discuss the curriculum
A four-day teachers' training trip to Marbella in southern Spain has been called off, following criticism over costs estimated at thousands of pounds.

Pupils at Edensor Technology College in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, were expected to stay at home on Thursday and Friday while teachers were away.

The school's head Richard Mercer said it had been called off because of "pressure from media interest".

Staff will now discuss the school's new curriculum and academy plans on site.

Creative juices

The cost of the trip has not been disclosed, but a calculation by the BBC's Midlands correspondent Fiona Trott estimated it at £18,000, based on 80 staff travelling to the Spanish city.

In a statement Mr Mercer 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, pupils and parents."

We did think it was an absolutely barmy idea

Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent's elected mayor

On Wednesday the school said the Marbella trip was the "best value for money" compared with other UK and international venues.

The school said it had sought quotes from nine venues in total and the conference was booked at the end of 2007.

Stoke-on-Trent's elected mayor Mark Meredith had previously criticised the planned trip and said he was glad it had been called off.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "We did think it was an absolutely barmy idea.

"We told the head teacher that. He's usually a very level-headed individual and a good leader of the school.

"I know he's incredibly creative but I explained I thought his creative juices had overflowed."

The school had previously said it had sought quotes from nine venues

Parents had also criticised the trip.

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."

School governor Don Evans said he and his colleagues had heard "some months ago" it would be cheaper to travel abroad for a trip like that than stay in the UK.

He added there were "a lot of questions" that needed to be asked.

American Dream · 02-10-2008, 12:45 PM

Sounds a pretty normal occurrence to me.

Quote:

The cost of the trip has not been disclosed, but a calculation by the BBC's Midlands correspondent Fiona Trott estimated it at £18,000, based on 80 staff travelling to the Spanish city.

There are plenty of Extra Curricular "beanos" that aren't divulged in the Educational sector.

My Ex HT would have put it to the Board of Governors as "Money well spent"

Quote:

He added there were "a lot of questions" that needed to be asked.

In my case they were.

Baldy · 02-10-2008, 01:06 PM

Teacher traing should be done at the school, there is no good reason why the staff should go to a resort in England, let alone Spain.

Nothing more than pure greed if you ask me.

GJH · 02-10-2008, 03:43 PM

When I was a parent governor I (along with other governors) took part in staff training events which, with one exception, took place at the school.

The one exception was when we went to an educational centre at Stanhope (about 45 miles away). We paid our own residential and travel expenses and were there from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon with training sessions Friday evening, throughout Saturday and Sunday morning. Those of us who attended used what we had learnt to run cut-down sessions in school at a later date for people who were unable to attend.

The idea of going abroad for training would have been ludicrous.

Graham

warwick · 02-10-2008, 07:16 PM

Unacceptable form of greed paid for by Council Tax Payers many pensioners or young people with young families already struggling. Sack the organiser(s).

moandick · 02-10-2008, 08:08 PM

When it comes to any form of greed, these people are in the very last carriage mopping up the dregs of the gravy train - left by the MEP's and other politicians much closer to home.

Braunston · 03-10-2008, 08:04 AM

Hi,

They don't seem to have mentioned if anyone got any money back after it was canceled ? be interesting to know if they have had to still meet the full costs,

I think the questions or suggestions that keep getting raised about it being cheaper to go abroad are misleading as if they have now decided that the event can be held within the school then surely this should have been one of the options ? and surely this isn't going to cost more than the trip abroad OR WILL IT ??

American Dream · 03-10-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunston

Hi,

They don't seem to have mentioned if anyone got any money back after it was canceled ? be interesting to know if they have had to still meet the full costs,

I think the questions or suggestions that keep getting raised about it being cheaper to go abroad are misleading as if they have now decided that the event can be held within the school then surely this should have been one of the options ? and surely this isn't going to cost more than the trip abroad OR WILL IT ??

It depends on the cost of the Buffet etc but I think that is the most sensible and Cost-effective option available.

I make the initial cost averaging ay £225/person.

To SPAIN!!! for 4 days all -in! £56.25 a day/person.

Beginning to sound a bit more reasonable as a hotel would cost more with personal mileage thrown in.

The in-school option must still work out cheaper EXCEPT for getting the extra staff in to cater for them.

Schools eh...

In a case like this, We, as a Governing Body, would have to pass the project as we were in charge of our own finances, being given an allocation yearly from the Local authority.

I personally think it would have been hard to justify and would have been well debated.

Braunston · 03-10-2008, 09:58 AM

Hi, American Dream

I agree that hotel to hotel costs could have been cheaper to package to Spain, but as they have now decided (albeit under pressure) to hold it in the school then it does bring into question the decision making process, perhaps if some more thought/pressure had been exerted duing the disscussion stages they wouldn't be where they are now in the media spotlight ??

The main point that apears to have been left out of this second decision is the one of cancelation costs, have they still had to pay for this outing ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Dream

It depends on the cost of the Buffet etc but I think that is the most sensible and Cost-effective option available.

I make the initial cost averaging ay £225/person.

To SPAIN!!! for 4 days all -in! £56.25 a day/person.

Beginning to sound a bit more reasonable as a hotel would cost more with personal mileage thrown in.

The in-school option must still work out cheaper EXCEPT for getting the extra staff in to cater for them.

Schools eh...

In a case like this, We, as a Governing Body, would have to pass the project as we were in charge of our own finances, being given an allocation yearly from the Local authority.

I personally think it would have been hard to justify and would have been well debated.

American Dream · 03-10-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunston

Hi, American Dream

I agree that hotel to hotel costs could have been cheaper to package to Spain, but as they have now decided (albeit under pressure) to hold it in the school then it does bring into question the decision making process, perhaps if some more thought/pressure had been exerted duing the disscussion stages they wouldn't be where they are now in the media spotlight ??

The main point that apears to have been left out of this second decision is the one of cancelation costs, have they still had to pay for this outing ??

Quote:

Staff will now discuss the school's new curriculum and academy plans on site.

All it's achieved is getting the College Bad Publicity and I'm sure that the Senior management would not like that.

Sounds like they were out for a Group Beano.

I would like to know how many days they have allocated for this in College?

Yes AND the cost of cancelling all of this as I'm sure deposits will have been paid and flights etc.

Yet ANOTHER case of taxpayers money being diverted away from the intended use.The education of the nation's youngsters.