A PARENT has been fined and her daughter ordered to attend school on Saturdays after refusing to take part in two activity days.
All lessons were cancelled and children offered activities, some costing as much as £40 a day, on the last two days of term at Magna Academy in Poole.
When one parent said she did not want her 13-year-old daughter to take part she was told she will receive a £60 fine and her daughter must make up hours missed on Saturdays next term.
Activities offered include ski lessons at £40 per day, Rockley Water Sports for £32, Altitude High Ropes at £18 for half a day and two hours at Splashdown for £11.
There was also the chance to go to the cinema for £5, bowling for £6 or £2 for rocket building.
Free activities included puzzles and an urban heath clean.
The parent, who does not wish to be named, said: “I would prefer to take my daughter to activities like this myself during the summer holiday and some of them are very expensive.
“Those who don’t want to fork out a lot of money will be left walking around the heath or doing puzzles at school while their friends are skiing or doing water sports.
“The school should have broken up on Friday. It is totally wrong that she’s being asked to make up the hours on Saturdays and I’ve been given a fine.”
A letter sent to parents in May said: “To celebrate all out students’ hard work and excellent progress this year we will be running two activity days at the end of the summer term.
“The normal timetable will be suspended and there will be two full days of extension and enrichment activities for all students, years 7-10.
“Please read through these activities and descriptions and consider the cost involved.”
Magna Academy is known for its strict rules and has hit the headlines on a number of occasions for its approach to discipline.
Pupils are instructed to walk between lessons in silence and have been punished for infringements such as carrying a ruler of the wrong length.
The parent added: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. One minute they’re being very strict, then the next they think it’s fine to cancel two whole days of lessons.”
The Daily Echo requested a comment from the school but had received no reply at the time of going to press.
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