ANGRY parents have criticised a headteacher for takingamonth off in the middle of term-time to visit Ghana.

They say Lyn Corderoy, head of Grange Primary School, Wickford, was wrong to take three weeks unpaid leave during school time, when parents who take children out of school face fines.

Parents learned of the head’s absence in a newsletter posted on the school website, It explained Miss Corderoy was going to Ghana to work on the Let’s Read phonic reading project, helping at Grange Primary’s African partner school The Elder Avenue school’s head spent several weeks working on the same project in Ghana during the summer holidays.

However, parents have questioned how the trip might benefit their children.

Susan Godfrey, 46, of Castledon Road, Wickford, said: “I think it’s absolutely appalling.

“How is the headteacher allowed to go away for such a long time during term-time?

“There are parents waiting on decisions she has made and she is not even there.”

Fellow parent Charlotte Worton, 26, of Wells Gardens, Pitsea, said: “I think it’s absolutely unfair headteachers can go in term-time. It’s unfair on the children. Their job is to look after the children during the term time. If they take time off, they’re neglecting the children.”

A third mum, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s her own personal passion – a project that she’s prioritised.

She’s just on a four-week holiday, in my opinion.”

However, an Essex County Council spokesman said the trip wasn’t a holiday, but “a professional secondment” and insisted it would be of benefit to pupils.

He added: “The headteacher is not on leave and this is not a personal project.

“She is on an unpaid professional secondment that will benefit the children’s learning.

“Ghanaian teachers have previously visited Grange to help the children learn about other cultures.”

A spokesman for the school governors said: “The preparation cover arrangements put in place have meant that the good-quality of education and service at the school has been maintained.”