Families offered refund after school coach trip to Paris cancelled with just 24 hours notice

Dozens of pupils who saw their school trip to Paris cancelled with only 24 hours notice have been offered a full refund. The coach trip for 138 Year Eight pupils at Stretford Grammar School was due to leave the school on Thursday evening.

Cultural visits to the Eiffel Tower and other attractions were planned for the pupils - mostly aged 13 - ahead of their return on Tuesday. The trip was 12 months in the planning, according to one mum who revealed her son was in tears at the news.

It's understood the trip cost parents and carers around £500 each, without factoring in clothing and other essential items for their children. But the school, in Granby Road, Stretford, was contacted by the company, PGL, at 9.30am on Wednesday, saying they had to cancel because 'we have been unable to source coaches for the trip'.

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The children were told the devastating news in an assembly that same morning. In a heartfelt email home to parents and carers, headteacher Michael Mullins said there was a 'tangible level of disappointment and anger' inside the school.

He also called for compensation and accused PGL, an outdoor education provider specialising in school trips, of 'chasing profit over practicalities', saying 'repeated assurances' had been given to the school.

In an update issued yesterday afternoon, Mr Mullins informed parents that PGL had offered a full refund plus £100 compensation to all students affected. He said the tour operator would also be funding a school trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Monday to replace the Paris visit.

Mr Mullins wrote: "Whilst I know the last 24 hours have been disappointing, I have today spoken with PGL’s