British school groups told not to travel to France

  • Education
Trips to French cultural sites like the Palace of Versailles near Paris are commonly attended by British school groups. Credit: Reynaud Maxime/ABACA/Press Association Images

British schools planning to take children to France in the coming days have been advised by the Foreign Office to cancel the trips as a state of emergency remains in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

The Foreign Office confirmed its guidance was in line with the French education ministry, which has halted all internal school trips within France until after Sunday.

The FCO said UK school grounds already in France for cultural visits to places like theatres and museums or history sites "may continue as originally planned".

The advice came as a headteacher from a UK school who cancelled two trips to France said he felt the decision was "giving in to terrorism".

David Hampson, from the Tollbar Academy in Grimsby, told BBC Radio 5 live he made the decision "with great regret" but said it was "in the interests of the safety of the pupils".

He said the school hopes to be fully reimbursed by its insurance company, but was prepared to foot the bill for all parents to be repaid the £285 cost of the trip.