This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7647891.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Teachers' Marbella trip cancelled Teachers' Marbella trip cancelled
(30 minutes later)
A four-day teachers' training trip to Marbella in southern Spain has been called off, following criticism over costs estimated at thousands of pounds.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.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".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.Staff will now discuss the school's new curriculum and academy plans on site.
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.
Creative juicesCreative 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.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.
We did think it was an absolutely barmy idea Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent's elected mayor
"The training programme will now take place at the school over the next two days."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.""It was felt that due to the pressure from media interest in the trip it would be unfair to the staff, pupils and parents."
In a statement released on Wednesday the school said the Marbella trip was the "best value for money" compared with other UK and international venues. 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.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.Stoke-on-Trent's elected mayor Mark Meredith had previously criticised the planned trip and said he was glad it had been called off.
The school had previously said it had sought quotes from nine venues
He told BBC Radio Stoke: "We did think it was an absolutely barmy idea.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."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.""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.Parents had also criticised the trip.
Andy Sales, 34, of Fenton, said: "Why isn't this money being spent on our kids?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.""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.