Shropshire school pupils caught up in Hurricane Sandy

Groups of 47 pupils and eight staff from Lakelands School in Ellesmere, and 18 pupils and six staff from Idsall School in Shifnal, are on cultural visits to New York, and were due to fly home later this week.

Parents are being kept informed of any developments by the schools.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for education and skills, said:

“We are aware that groups from Idsall School and Lakelands School are currently on trips to New York and teachers are taking advice from the authorities to ensure they remain safe and well in their hotels. We are speaking to the schools to see if they need any support, and parents will be kept informed by the schools if the situation changes.”

Chair of Governors at Lakelands School, Stuart Bingham, said:

“We can confirm that a number of staff and students from Lakelands School are currently on a school trip to New York. All pupils have sent text messages to their parents to let them know they are ok and we are speaking with the staff in New York to get as much information for parents as we can. Parents should check the school website for updates.

“We appreciate parents may be worried, but we can assure them that the pupils are safe and in good spirits, with teachers following the appropriate advice from the New York authorities. There are several senior and very experienced members of staff on the trip and I have every faith in their ability to take care of the students while in New York and to get them home safely. We will keep parents informed of any developments regarding flights back as there will inevitably be some disruption from so many cancellations taking place.

“Parents of the students involved are able to contact both the school and the staff in New York and we would encourage them to do so if they have any concerns, although we will keep the school website updated with information as we receive it.”