School denies forcing pupils into funds walk

A CITY high school today denied "forcing" pupils to take part in a two-mile sponsored walk.

All students at Broughton High have been encouraged to join in the event on September 28.

And a father, who asked not to be named, claimed his daughter had been told that "unless she had a broken leg", she had to do the walk.

"We haven't had any official word about it apart from what's on the school website, but I take that to mean it must be compulsory."

But headteacher Lesley Johnston denied the claims, and defended the decision to hold the walk during school time.

She said: "There will be staff at the school to make sure those pupils who can't take part or are not involved in the walk have the chance to study.

"We're having the walk to help replace lottery funding we have for extra-curriculum activities which is due to run out at the start of 2008.

"This is to make sure that we can still continue to provide activities for the pupils.

"The chess club and football or activities that some parents might not be able to afford for their children would be in doubt if we can't raise the money."

The school hopes to make around £10,000 from the walk.