School's out for Spain training

The teachers are flying out to Marbella for a training conference

A school has admitted it is flying its teaching staff to Marbella for a four-day training trip.

Edensor Technology College, in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, said it would be closed on Thursday and Friday while teachers were in the Spanish holiday resort.

Staff are expected to discuss the school's new curriculum and plans to turn it into an academy.

The school said the Marbella trip was the "best value for money" compared to other UK and international venues.

The school, which has about 80 teaching staff, said it had sought quotes from nine venues in total and the conference was booked at the end of 2007.

The school will be closed for two days

The Andalucia Plaza Marbella Hotel, which the school has booked, said it charged roughly £635-a-day for conference facilities while a standard double room was charged at about £90-a-day.

Headteacher Richard Mercer said in a statement: "A full training programme, which is being led by reputable international speakers, is in place.

"We are investing in training our staff to ensure the continuity of quality education for our pupils."

A spokesman for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said the trip was a "matter for the school".