Head teacher denies children were banned from torch parade

Some parents of pupils at St Bartholomews School, all of whom asked not to be named, complained that their youngsters had missed a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”
One said: “The children were told on the day that they would not be allowed out to watch the relay unless they had a note from their parents giving permission But by then it was too late.”
Another said: “It was history in the making and my children missed it.”
However the head teacher at the school, Christine Haddrell, said the claims were mistaken.
She said this week: “Parents and students were informed well in advance as to how the school would be represented at the event. Year Nine went in to town, as well as the tutor group of Year Seven student Georgie Sanderson, who was a torchbearer.
“As a result one or two parents contacted the school and I communicated with them. Then, on the day, we had a number of students who wanted to see it and we needed to check they had parental permission.”
For those pupils who did stay at school, the school screened a live, close up transmission of the Newbury relay.
Georgie was nominated earlier this year as a torchbearer and Mrs Haddress said: “We’re so proud of her. She was an excellent ambassador for St Bart’s and looked amazing in her Olympic kit.”