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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Teachers' Marbella trip cancelled | Teachers' Marbella trip cancelled |
| (20 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. | 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 juices | Creative juices |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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." |
| 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." |