PARENTS of pupils have weighed into the debate about a school skiing trip to northern Italy, with some describing the decision to go as “ridiculous”, “unbelievable” and “shocking”.

Youngsters from Five Acres High School in Berry Hill were among a party of Greenshaw Learning Trust Academy pupils who travelled to Piedmont on Friday, March 6, only for the Italian government to put the country into lockdown three days later.

The party, who were based at Claviere on the border with France, cut their stay short owing to the crisis and returned by bus and ferry overnight last Wednesday and Thursday (March 11 to 12).

Headteacher Ian Frost no longer seems to be at the school – although GLT, its administrator, has refused to clarify his position – with a letter sent to parents regarding the need of returning ski trip pupils and staff to “self-isolate” issued by ‘acting head’ Simon Phelps.

While Public Health England confirmed on Monday (March 16) that there had been no known coronavirus cases in the Forest of Dean yet, some parents and residents have expressed anger that the youngsters were allowed to go to Piedmont, while neighbouring Lombardy is suffering Europe’s worst outbreak of the virus.

While there have been no reports that anyone was infected during the trip, some posters on social media – which saw around 500 comments on Facebook alone – say they fear the virus could have been brought back into the Forest community.

Parents have also expressed concern that siblings and other family members of those who went on the trip don’t have to self-isolate.

One woman raged: “Wow, this is shocking! How many of these families will actually isolate the children and how many will isolate themselves and how many will carry this to other people unnoticed and how many elderly people will die because of this thoughtless and selfish behaviour?!”

Another described the decision to go as “absolutely ridiculous”, while another called it “unbelievable”, and a third said “ridiculous that they went in the first place!”

One woman posted: “Can’t believe this trip was allowed to go ahead..... this is more or less inviting the virus into the Forest of Dean... well done Five Acres, were the “at risk “ group of people that reside here ever in your thoughts?”

Another added: “Surely the school has a duty of care to act in the best interests of these children? In the circumstances, it is hard to see how the decision to go ahead with this trip fulfills that duty.”

One mother posted: “Sorry but there is no way my child would have gone on a trip to a high risk country,” while a man added: “From a school perspective this is a nightmare.”

But other parents have defended the trip, with a mother whose children went to Italy saying last week: “The kids went to an area with no case (and there still is no case) in the vicinity.

“They had enough hand sanitiser to sink a ship, strict rules which also included no sharing of anything. The FCO, DHE, H&S Executive, parents and school were all involved in the run up to the trip.

“Unfortunately during the trip everything changed. We did not decide to send the kids to bring back a virus to kill off everybody in the FOD. We all have instructions on what to do when the kids get back.”

Another parent added: “We are a lot closer to infected people here in the Forest of Dean, as there are reports in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham and Bristol, etc.

“All this hysteria over their trip and making digs and criticising the school and parents is not helpful to anyone!!”

One posted: “They were going on information from the government and local authorities on permitted travel.

“They obviously proceeded on info given by people/agencies with actual knowledge on the situation.”

Another said: “The area they stayed in is still considered LOW risk. They had to return due to Italy being on lockdown!! NOT because the children were considered to be carrying the virus!!”

And a woman added: “Damned if they do, Damned if they don’t! If a parent is worried about the situation then they should simply (have)stopped their child from going! Regardless of the money!”

In the letter to parents signed by Mr Phelps and sent last Wednesday (March 11) before the party’s arrival home , he wrote: “We would like to thank those parents who have been in contact showing care and concern for the students who are currently enjoying their skiing visit to Claviere. 

“We would also like to thank you for your patience and understanding in allowing us to continue to run our school with the safety of the whole school community at the forefront.

“We have attempted to respond to as many requests for information as possible and we recognise that many of you still have questions about the safe return of these students and staff. 

“I can inform you that they will be leaving the resort on Wednesday, March 11, and we expect them to be back in the UK and home early on Thursday, March 12.  

“As you would expect, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the whole school community, we have been following the guidance and advice of the relevant government agencies and will continue to do so on the return of staff and students.

“This is currently that travellers from Category 1 areas (including Italy) “should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, and use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next.

“We would like to stress that the advice currently available relates to those staff and students returning from the visit only.

“Up to date advice can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/govern ment/collections/coronavirus-cov id-19-list-of-guidance.

“Once again your support is appreciated.”