A 12-YEAR-OLD Broadstone schoolgirl was airlifted to hospital after injuring her head in a fall at a Dorset beauty spot.

The girl. a pupil at Broadstone Middle School, was on a walk near Dancing Ledge as part of the school's Land and Wave week of activities, when she tripped and fell.

She was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital with a broken wrist and a head wound.

Because students on the trip are not allowed to take mobile phones, parents have been informed by letter today.

It says: "I wanted to inform you of an accident that happened on Monday evening while the childrenwere out walking near Dancing Ledge.

"One of our pupils unfortunately tripped and fell over and as a precaution was airlifted to hospital. She has suffered a broken wrist and received stitches for a head wound but is otherwise doing well.

"Having spoken to both school staff present at the scene , the instructor, Duty Manager and Directors of Land & Wave, I am confident that policy procedure was followed and have organised a member of our Senior Management team to visit the site today to follow-up enquiries.

"We are continuing with the trip as planned and the children are enjoying a variety of activities today including kayaking, coast steering and archery.

"As we don’t allow children to take their mobile phones on school trips as a way of maximising the experience of being away I wanted to write to you and tell you about the accident and ensure you that everyone is safe and well."

Portland Coastguard received a 999 call reporting the girl had slipped and fallen while on a school trip at Dancing Ledge, near St Albans Head yesterday evening.

A coastguard spokesman said: "She was with a school party doing a coastal walk and she slipped and fell down a steep bank.

"It's quite a difficult spot to get resources to so the rescue helicopter was scrambled and took her to Dorset County Hospital.

"She had a cut on her forehead which was bleeding but she was conscious and talking the whole time."

Head teacher Andrew Johnson has defended banning mobile phones on school trips after some parents voiced concerns their children were unable to contact them immediately after the incident.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, told the Echo parents should have been told straight away there had been an incident and their children were safe.

However, Mr Johnson said: “The school has a policy not to allow children to take mobile phones on residential trips.

“We do this to maximise the experience of being away from home and also we cannot take responsibility for expensive items.

“Parents are made aware of this policy before the trip takes place and will always be contacted in an emergency.”