Paris attacks: Shropshire school uncertain if French trip should go ahead
A school trip set to leave Shropshire for France in two weeks' time could be called off in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris.
Pupils in Years 8 and 9 at St Martins School, St Martins, near Oswestry, were due to head across the Channel for a languages trip.
But headteacher Sue Lovecy said today she was taking advice on the current security situation, following the multiple attacks in Paris on Friday by the Islamic State group (IS) in which 129 people died and hundreds of others were injured.
Mrs Lovecy said they had found the Government guidelines on whether or not they should travel "vague".
She added: "We contacted Shropshire Council but they don't offer advice. The Government website on Tuesday had a notice, valid until November 22, advising that no-one should travel before then. We're waiting for that to be updated.
"The Government guideline is rather vague. On Monday they were saying people could go, but on Tuesday they've said the French Ministry of Education is advising schools to avoid travelling for now.
"We're in a very awkward position, because if the Government doesn't give clear advice not to go and we cancel, we won't be able to claim anything back on insurance."
The school was planning to travel with specialist school travel company NST, and is currently liaising with them to try to decide what to do. The trip, which is due to start on December 1, takes in Disneyland Paris as well as various places along the coast, based from a château.
Mrs Lovecy said: "We're not going to Paris aside from when we're at Disneyland, but the security there is fantastic.
"I'm supposed to be going on the trip and my son is on the trip. But I expect that even if we're told it will be safe to go then some parents will pull their children out, and that's perfectly understandable.
"We've got a parents meeting tomorrow so we can give the parents the latest information, but it is frustrating, and they're very tense about it. Lots of parents have been calling in to find out what's going on.
"We're just waiting for advice. We're not sure at the moment if we'll be going or not."
