Halesowen College staff in £10k 'fun day'

A college paid around £10,000 sending teachers on trips to theme parks, a go-karting track and learning circus skills, it emerged today.

The "team building" outings for about 500 staff at Halesowen College cost an average of £20 per head.

Staff took part in activities at venues including Alton Towers, Cheddar Gorge and Cadbury World while the college shut for a training day.

Some even visited London to see the Bank of England and the Design Museum in London near Tower Bridge.

It is the first time the excursions have been organised but college principal Keith Bate says they were "very successful" and he would consider running them again.

But the huge expense from college funds put aside for staff development was criticised today as a waste of money. There were 19 trips in total, with most held last Friday - and no students were invited.

Workers got to explore the Alton Towers sealife centre, Bletchley Park Museum in Milton Keynes and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.

Some took part in an adventure course at Go Ape on Cannock Chase, others went Go Karting at Wheelspin Karting in Dudley Road, Halesowen. There was also a circus skills workshop.

Mr Bate said the college had a workforce of around 500 staff and all took part.

"It was very successful in terms of developing staff relations and helping in team building," he said. "I think it represents value for money at £20 a head."

But John O'Connell, research director of the Taxpayer's Alliance, said today: "This is a huge amount to spend on jollies for staff only one day after thousands of schools up and down the country shut as many teachers went on strike."

Ward councillor Karen Shakespeare said: "I would be interested in asking the college what the benefits of the trips were."