Parents of some Year 6 pupils at an Abergavenny primary school have expressed concerns that an end-of-term trip to London is scheduled to go ahead amid heightened security in the wake of the recent terrorist attack.

With several considering withdrawing their children from the annual trip, head teacher of Llantilio Pertholey primary school Mrs Joanne Bayton invited parents to a meeting after school hours on Tuesday so that they could air their views both for and against.

The itinerary for the London visit, booked for four staff and 27 children from July 12 - 14, has already been amended to reduce the amount of time spent walking around the capital.

And parents have been told that it is too late in the day to organise an alternative destination.

Monmouthshire County Council has said that the advice from local authorities and Government regarding school trips remains unchanged and warned that refunds will not be available because accommodation and visits have already been paid for.

Mrs Bayton said on Monday that she’d spoken to some parents who were inclined to withdraw their children from the trip and others who were keen for their children to go as planned - leaving the school in ‘a no win situation’.

One worried mum told the Chronicle that with MI5 stating an attack in London was ’highly likely’ she had decided her 11-year-old daughter wouldn’t be going.

“At a time when we’re being told we should restrict non-essential trips to London, according to the council there is no reason for them not to go.

“They claim to have changed the itinerary to reduce walking but they will still be walking the streets every day they are there, to and from major landmarks! They’re asking me to send my child to play on a volcano and cross my fingers that it doesn’t erupt,” she said.

“I understand that to withdraw from our lives is exactly what the terrorists want, and I’m not suggesting we do that. All they have to do is change the trip to somewhere else.”

The itinerary includes visits to Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Science Museum, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, a production of The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and a Thames boat trip.

“It’s a wonderful trip and an important part of finishing your time at primary school. My two older children have been in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said.

“But I’m worried that city centres in general are twitchy at the moment and keep having false alarms. When people are adrenalin-filled and running for their lives and armed police are shouting at people to ‘get down’ it’s very frightening.

She added, “The person I spoke to at MCC seemed obsessed with the idea that there would’t be a refund - he just wouldn’t listen to my concerns. I’m not pressing for a refund. The only thing that would change my mind would be if the destination was changed.

“There are plenty of other places they could go besides Number One on the terrorists’ list.”

Head teacher Mrs Bayton had contacted parents after the attack in London saying she appreciated that there might be concerns or questions about the trip.

She said the school had checked whether there was any change of thinking at MCC and been told: “The local authority and Government advice on school trips and the terrorist threat has not changed. In addition, please also note that our insurers have confirmed that they will not indemnify for a parent/guardian choosing to cancel/abandon travel for their child unless the travel destination has been declared by the Government as unsafe to travel to.”

In the light of this, she said, the school’s intention was to continue with the planned trip, with a revised itinerary which minimised time spent walking around the capital.

“I’m sure you can appreciate it’s almost impossible to do a London trip without some walking and without going to some historic/tourist venues but we’ve tried to retain as much enjoyment whilst avoiding the tube and using the bus as much as possible,” she said, adding, “Every precaution that can be taken will be taken to ensure the safety of the children as always.”

She said she had thought about alternative destinations but that it would be almost impossible to book anything else for a group of 27 children at such a late stage.

* A representative from MCC was not able to attend the school meeting, but a spokesperson told the Chronicle on Tuesday, “In common with other establishments from across the UK Monmouthshire’s schools continue to organise educational trips for students to London and other destinations. In fact, a number of primary schools in the Abergavenny area have already arranged to visit London in the near future.

“While a heightened state of vigilance continues to be required for all educational visits the authority is not currently advising that future travel should be cancelled. We have not received specific warnings from the government to cancel or postpone such trips.

“Our main reference document when considering such educational visits is the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel National Guidance (NG), as recognised by the Welsh Government. This document can be accessed via oeapng.info and further information on the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel can be found at oeap.info

“National guidance can also be accessed via the Welsh Government’s website:”wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/allsectorpolicies/healthandsafety/educationalvisits/?lang=en

“We have stressed to headteachers, visit leaders and accompanying staff that they should review their itinerary and risk assessments so that they are confident they can safely arrange their trips. A number of plans and control measures are in place for various contingencies and organisers are able to seek assistance if required from departmental senior management and key officers.

“We respect parental concerns but stress that if consent to travel is withdrawn the council is unable to offer refunds as it is unlikely travel insurance policies would cover any financial losses incurred. Schools may wish to offer refunds but these would be funded from the school’s budget.”