School under fire for taking children on duck shoot
A headteacher was under fire today for sending a class of 10-year-old primary school children on an outing – to see ducks being shot.
Distressed pupils from Ashbeach Primary School in Ramsey St Mary’s, Cambridgeshire, burst into tears when they saw the birds downed and then scooped up by gun dogs.
Many of the youngsters thought they were going to enjoy a day of bird watching after a letter was sent home with no mention of shooting, or guns.
The permission letter sent home to parents only referred to ”wildfowlers” – a term among the shooting community referring to hunting ducks and geese.
Parents have blasted the school for taking them into an environment of guns and bullets.
Headteacher Shirley Stapleton admitted the outing is an ”annual trip” which helps pupils make “informed decisions” about country pursuits.
Ray Poolman, 49, of Ramsey, said his daughter came home in floods of tears after spending the day watching the Ely and District Wildfowlers Association shoot.
He said that he thought she was going to a bird watching place but it turned out it was a shoot, and he was concerned something could have gone wrong.
But when he confronted the headteacher he was told the hunt had been “rural and normal”.
Mr Poolman has contacted Ramsey councillor Peter Reeve, the education authority and the school’s board of governors.
In a statement, headteacher Mrs Stapleton said: ”This is an annual trip which has taken place for several years.
”It is not compulsory – it is entirely up to individuals and parents must return a signed permission slip before their child can go.
”Following a class discussion about the visit, a letter was sent home to explain that children would find out more about wildfowling, the conservation of the landscape and the dogs and equipment used.
”The letter sent home before the trip made it clear that wildfowling was involved.
”The school does not promote the shooting of wildlife but tries to encourage children to be able to make informed decisions about the traditions, sports and activities which take place in their local environment.
”All the children indicated at the end of the visit that they had thoroughly enjoyed it.
”However, if any parents feel they were unclear about what the children would be experiencing, I would be very happy to talk to them.”
Cambridgeshire County Council said the trip was entirely a ”matter for the school” and they would not be getting involved.
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LETTER SENT HOME TO PARENTS
A school letter sent home to parents informing them about the trip read: ”Following our successful visit to Welney Marshes last year, the Ely and District Wildfowlers Association has invited us to go and see an evening flight with them at Welney…
”The children will be finding out about the different species of wildfowl that live on the wetlands at Welney, the conservation of the landscape carried out by the wildfowlers and the dogs and equipment used as part of the sport.
”Children will be safely contained in a purpose-built hide during the talk and wildfowling demonstration.”