Outcry as girl, 9, stows away unnoticed on school coach trip

QUESTIONS are being asked after a nine-year-old stowaway was found on a school trip in north Wales.

The girl managed to sneak onto a bus, which was heading for a twonight trip, unnoticed.

L’evea Aitchinson made it almost halfway to Mold before teachers realised she was there.

Her parents have reprimanded her – but are also demanding answers from New Moston Primary over how it could happen.

The Year 5 pupil changed out of her uniform into other clothes, which she had hidden in her school bag that morning, and joined her pals on the coach on Friday for the £150 two-night trip to Kingswood activity centre in Mold.

But it wasn’t until the party was on the M56 in Cheshire that teachers back in north Manchester realised L’evea wasn’t there.

According to the Manchester Evening News it’s believed that while a roster of pupils was taken after they got on the bus, no headcount was made and L’evea went unnoticed.

Mum Deletha Hughes said that after her daughter was discovered, head teacher Rob Partington drove her back, where dad Graham was waiting at the school. It’s understood Mr Partington had been travelling separately and met up with the coach at a service station.

Mrs Hughes, 26, says she is now preparing to make a formal complaint to the school.

Carl Heatley, chairman of governors, said: “We’ve since spoken to all staff to reinforce with them the correct procedures that must be followed.”