A MAYOR has hit out after teachers went to Hawaii on a trip funded by the taxpayer.

The three headteachers and one deputy headteacher of schools in South Shields and Jarrow, in South Tyneside, Longbenton, near Newcastle, and Wallsend, in North Tyneside, spent four days at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities.

They stayed at the Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki, Honolulu, with the £7,118 cost of the trip paid for by the Arts Council, funded by the Government and the National Lottery.

North Tyneside Mayor Linda Arkley said: "I don't blame the teachers for going on this trip, but it really annoys me that the Government hasn't funded our schools in North Tyneside properly and we have been asking for a meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss it for more than a year now.

"Our standards and exam pass rates are high but some of our schools are dropping to bits. The Government should get its house in order in terms of its priorities."

Mark Robinson, director of arts and development at Arts Council England's regional office, said: "This is a respected international conference, which provided a unique opportunity for senior education professionals to gain valuable knowledge and best practice from across the world.

"This will help raise the aspirations of our youngsters and make sure they can make the most of their talents."

He said the teachers would share their knowledge with other schools in the Arts Council's creative partnerships initiative.

A North Tyneside Council spokesman said the money could not be used for other educational purposes.