Children whose parents could not afford to send them on a school trip were told by teachers, “don’t expect everything to be given to you in life.”
Furious parents hit out at Ash Green School in Coventry after teens in Year 10 were sent the message ahead of an end-of-year-trip to Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire.
It read: “Any pupil who complains about the price, the answer is simple, you don’t need to go on the trip. You have had so much given to you, don’t expect everything to be given to you in life.”
Parents said the message, displayed on monitors inside classrooms as part of a Tutor Notices bulletin, was “unacceptable”.
One told Coventry Live: “It clearly shames the children and their parents struggling the most during the cost of living crisis. If nothing else the tone is threatening and unacceptable.”
Creative Education Trust, which runs Ash Green School, was hit with a government termination warning notice after the school's recent ‘Inadequate’ rating by Ofsted.
The parent said: “The audacity to shame children and parents whilst being under investigation by Ofsted is staggering.”
Ofsted inspectors highlighted poor behaviour from pupils, low attendance rates and ineffective management.
A spokesperson for Ash Green School said: “We apologise for the tone of this message, which in no way reflects our values.
“Ash Green School had in fact previously written to parents to ask them to get in touch if there were any financial barriers to their child attending the trip.
“We work hard to be an inclusive and welcoming school and want all students to be able to benefit from the range of experiences and opportunities we offer.
“We will be ensuring that all communications to student tutor groups, where appropriate, are reviewed by senior leaders in future.”
