Cannabis taken on school trip (From Witney Gazette)

Cannabis taken on school trip

8:20am Monday 5th March 2007 in Witney By Phil Vinter

A PUPIL managed to take cannabis across Europe in a coach while travelling to Spain for a school skiing trip.

Teachers discovered that a Year 11 student at Bartholomew School, Eynsham, was in possession of a small amount of cannabis when the school party arrived at a resort in the Pyrenees at the beginning of half-term week last month.

Headteacher Andrew Hamilton said: "There was an incident in which a young individual took a little bit of cannabis with him on the trip.

"This is highly unusual and we took a very strong line when we found out what had happened. I am unwilling to comment further on a circumstance that might upset and offend and really be detrimental to the well-being of parents and pupils that I have a duty of care towards."

Mr Hamilton did not confirm whether the pupil concerned had been expelled, but said that "the most severe punishment available" had been given.

He added: "There is no major issue with drugs at the school.

"There is an issue in society as a whole with the perception that cannabis is safe, which it is not, and therefore society is giving children the wrong message."