CONCERNED parents have criticised a decision to go ahead with a school visit to London in the wake of the recent terror attack.

Some parents have already pulled their children out of the three-day trip involving youngsters from primary schools in the Crook area of County Durham.

The Home Office has not issued any guidance against trips to the capital following the attack on London Bridge on June 3. And NST, the educational travel company organising the trip, has reassured parents it has a structured approach to crisis management.

But parents argue that to go ahead with the visit next week is “irresponsible” and believe the schools involved, including Crook Primary School and Sunnybrow Primary School, should use emergency funding to refund the £320 paid.

Emma Wright, Mary Dawson, Rachel Lee and Kelly Lambert-Cousins, whose children attend Crook Primary School, are among those calling for a cancellation.

Ms Lee said: “It’s an outrage. I can’t believe the school is being so irresponsible. My son won’t be going and that is that”

Ms Lambert-Cousins said: “It should be cancelled. London is not a safe place to be.”

The parents say their resolve was strengthened when they heard access to mobile phones would be restricted. They also claim youngsters were promised special bracelets to allow parents to track them. However, they say when they asked about this at a special meeting last week, the teachers had forgotten.

Some parents are also annoyed that they could have been eligible for a partial refund but received incorrect information. Ms Lambert-Cousins first asked about cancelling last month and, in a letter sent on May 24 and seen by The Northern Echo, was told it was too late for a refund.

However, when she was given the terms and conditions at the meeting last Monday, she realised parents could have received £64. Unfortunately, by this point, the trip was just 14 days away, meaning the full amount would be lost.

Caroline O’Neill, Durham County Council’s head of education, said she understood parents may have concerns.

“School trips like this are an important and enriching educational experience for pupils,” she said. “There is no national guidance to say these trips should not go ahead, but ultimately it is up to the parent or guardian of a pupil to decide if they are happy to consent.”