As a very concerned parent of a Year 11 Cantell Student, it is my view that: In defending her decision to take her team to France for the weekend Ruth Johnson has struck at the heart of what is so shocking and so fundamentally wrong about this trip. She is quoted as saying: We all learn more effectively when we are taken out of our everyday environment and given the opportunity to work in a more creative and innovative manner.

Hear, hear! Sentiments I have always shared. Since my son joined the school in 2002 I have been very keen for him to be taken on some educational visits. The first trip he experienced was earlier this term when he went to the Nuffield Theatre one evening. I have asked different teachers on many occasions why more trips are not organised for students. I have been given a variety of answers, the latest one being that the costs of trips would be unacceptably high for parents who would be expected to meet the costs of staff cover. Ms Johnson lists the sources of funding for the £9000 training trip to France, wouldn't the providers of these funds have been happy to know that the students were directly benefiting from them?

In so blatantly putting the needs of her staff before the needs of students, Ruth Johnson is showing herself unfit to be an educator let alone a head teacher. Perhaps she should consider resigning before she causes any more embarrassment either to herself or to Cantell.

Name and address supplied.