Peacehaven school axes Thorpe Park trip in inclusivity row

Students at Peacehaven Community School with perfect behaviour and attendance had been invited go on the annual trip to Thorpe Park to celebrate their achievements.

But the secondary school had complaints that the trip was not inclusive for children whose attendance was low or behaving poorly and has axed all plans despite taking hundreds of pounds from parents.

The Swarm ride at Thorpe Park

One fuming mum, whose 11-year-old daughter in in Year 7 at the school, said: "She was really looking forward to it.

"She had an exceptional score report and 100 per cent attendance. She is a model student."

The mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, paid the £36 for the trip last week before being told it would not go ahead just before the bank holiday weekend.

Read more: Autistic schoolgirl 'told to take off dead dad's bracelet' in uniform row

A letter was sent to parents by the school saying criticism from parents whose children were not invited meant it did not believe the trip, set for the end of May, was "fair and equal" for all students.

The mum added: "If you are no longer going to reward the students for good behaviour and attendance, how does that motivate them to keep going?

"I was really upset for my daughter. She has made lots of friends in the years above her and was looking forward to going with them.

"As a parent you like to fix things and make things better, but you can't with this."

Parents have been advised not to ask for refunds yet as it plans to use the money for a "golden ticket" given to every student meant to go on the trip.

Read the full letter sent to parents:

As you are aware, we have offered a Thorpe Park attendance incentive as a reward for excellent attendance throughout this year.

We have been contacted by some families regarding the criteria for this trip and, on reflection, we feel that it is necessary to revise our systems and processes that we have in place to ensure that a fair and equal opportunity for all students is provided.  We are an inclusive school and it is important that our incentives in school mirror this.

As a result of this, the trip to Thorpe park this term will no longer be going ahead on the date planned. 

We are planning an alternative reward but want to be sure that our criteria is fair and considered. We need time to secure arrangements before we share this with you, however, all students who qualified on this occasion will be offered 'golden tickets' and automatically be entitled to a place on the alternative trip. This will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of term 6 and we will be in contact with more information in the upcoming weeks.

We understand deposits/payments have been made and can refund these on your request. However, we recommend you wait until our next update in the upcoming weeks. 

The Thorpe Park trip is used as a way to encourage students to keep up the good behaviour until the end of the year - and is advertised at open evenings for prospective parents looking to send their children to the school.

One parent said: "You have to be true to your word so these kids can see that it's good to be good, and that it is worth working towards goals.

"They have really let down the students that were successful."

The school did not respond to The Argus's requests for comment.