Head teachers head to South Africa for junket

Nine head teachers from local schools travelled to South Africa on a four-star, £16,000 junket paid for by the taxpayer, it emerged on Monday.

The five-day jaunt to Cape Town, saw the state school heads visit different schools as part of a "professional development" scheme.

The trip had been paid for by the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services – a government quango – at a cost of £1,773 per person.

According to the hotel's website, guests can enjoy "spectacular" views of Table Mountain or the "awe-inspiring" Atlantic Ocean.

The hotel boasts swimming facilities and a concierge service, with a golf course and beaches close by.

During the term-time trip the heads, from secondary and primary schools, toured five schools, gave presentations on British schools, and met officials.

A Rochdale Borough Council spokeswoman said: "The time spent by head teachers participating in the visit comprised five days of Continuing Professional Development working in a range of schools and other settings.

"Far from being time off from school, the outcomes of the visit, which was the culmination of a three-year collaborative project, will impact positively on the quality of provision at individual school level and across the borough."

But Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, told the Manchester Evening News: "It is clearly hugely excessive to spend so much money flying teachers to South Africa when they are meant to be teaching their pupils in the UK.

"This may have been well-intentioned but it was a misguided trip that should never have happened.

"Taxpayers simply cannot afford these kind of luxuries, and pupils deserve to have their teachers in the classroom educating them.''

The National College said the trip was part of its International Leadership Learning Programme (ILLP), which is now being reviewed.

A spokeswoman said: "The ILLP is currently under review to ensure it delivers best value for money while providing heads with valuable experience of teaching and learning overseas."