A GIRL recovering from a spine operation has been barred from a school trip - because she hasn't been well enough to go to lessons.
Molly Wroe, 12, suffers from a condition called scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. She has had metal rods inserted into her back, which are lengthened every six months through surgery.
Molly has been off school a month because of complications after the latest op. She still wanted to go on a three-day trip to Scarborough, which started on Monday, with 80 schoolmates from Altrincham College of Art.
Headteacher Peter Brooks said the visit would involve 'strenuous activity' and if Molly wasn't well enough for 'a normal school day' then she wasn't fit for the trip.
But Molly said: "It's not fair. I've been looking forward to the trip for a year and it has helped me get better.
"Now I've been told I can't go because of my back. I'm upset because I'll miss all the fun."
Mr Brooks said he had to take the difficult decision because Molly had not been in school for a month.
Devastated
He said: "We were hoping Molly would return to school this week but she is still not well enough. The visit involves strenuous activity over three days.
"As headteacher I, sadly, have had to make the judgement that Molly is not well enough to attend the trip based of the fact she has still not recovered sufficiently to manage a normal school day.
"We offer our students many residential opportunities and I am sure Molly will be able to participate in lots of these in the future.
"We wish her a speedy recovery."
Molly's mum Beverley, from Baguley, said her daughter was `devastated' to be missing out.
"We told the surgeon and he picked up the phone and called the school himself. He believes it would be beneficial, like physio, but the school wouldn't budge.
"Her twin brother Jack is going and he feels really guilty about it. They both feel she's being penalised because of her condition.
"She hasn't been in school since the operation because she had an infection and had to go back into hospital.
"But she's recovered now and is capable."
Showing comments 1 to 14 and replies | View All
markyboy, manchester (30/06/2009 at 08:00)
a brave decision by the head to err on the side of caution.
FyberOptyx, Tameside (30/06/2009 at 08:45)
Second. I think the school is right to refuse this girl the trip. If something did happen and she hurt her back, you can be sure there would be a claim going in because the school didn't protect her enough.
Jo14, Somewhere on planet Earth (30/06/2009 at 08:52)
If she went, and things went wrong for her - then the family would be up in arms about how that would've been the school's fault for allowing her to go.
Best to err on the side of caution if she's not well enough to go to school anyway.
J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock, King of Peasmouldia (30/06/2009 at 10:48)
I can't help feeling that the headmasters decision was partially, but not entirely down to us having such a litigious society.
Tezza, Tyldesley (30/06/2009 at 10:51)
My god how dramatic “she was devastated”, no you get devastated when your granny or granddad dies not because you can’t go on a trip.
I think the school was correct not only because of her condition but also because she has not been in school for a month, if she is well enough to go then she should be catching up on her school work.
Call me cynical but she’s suddenly better just as the trip is to happen
JAM65 (30/06/2009 at 11:29)
It reads to me like if she's have been in school this week the Head would have said OK, but she isn't!
Pippa, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 11:50)
local_lass, Burnage (30/06/2009 at 12:17)
Its no-ones fault its just life.
Vixen78, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 13:27)
If Molly had been allowed to go along on the trip how would that decision have looked to any pupil who had been told they couldn't go as a punishment or because they did not have enough attendance....? I also think that the adults on the trip would be so much more aware of Molly and her condition that their focus would be taken off the other pupils - I dread to think what could happen then...?
The Higher Openshaw Exile, MANCHESTER (30/06/2009 at 14:37)
Grumpy of Chorlton, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 16:07)
Grow up. Thats life, things happen that not everyone likes. Don't take things personally. "Stuff happens" as they say.
The MEN is daft enough to print this stuff, so it all does is encourage others to turn to the press with their meaningless moans.
JaneM (30/06/2009 at 17:22)
polodski, Ballymena (30/06/2009 at 19:15)
CHMN, Sale (30/06/2009 at 23:26)