Mother’s plea as school bans son from trip to France

Published: 26 March, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

A MOTHER has appealed to an Islington headteacher to overturn a ban on her 10-year-old son taking part in a school trip to France. 

The woman, who is not being named to protect the identity of the child, says the ban was based on three incidents of poor behaviour. “The incidents were relatively mild,” she said. “My son swore under his breath when the teacher told him to be quiet. He was involved in a fight when one of his friends was being bullied. And he walked off the football pitch after an argument with a teacher, which he has since apologised for.”

The school says the ban was prompted by fears for the safety of the boy or classmates if he went on the trip.

Parents were warned that the headteacher could refuse permission for a child to go on the trip if any “extreme behaviour” occurred in the months running up to departure in May.

The woman said of her son: “He may not be a complete angel but he is a decent lad. I feel he has not done anything that warrants such a huge and distressing punishment.”

The headteacher said: “We have to ensure the wellbeing of all 37 pupils and staff going to France. For many children, it will be their first time abroad and we want to make sure it is a success. 

“The child had the chance to go on the trip but following real concerns about some recent behaviour we told his mother we could not guarantee his safety or that of the group.

“All the parents involved accepted that any unsafe behaviour could prevent their child from joining the trip.”