An academy trust has been slammed after children were given an inset day so teachers could go on a “treasure hunt” in London.

Last Friday, children at a series of Southend primary schools under the Learning Through Harmony Trust were given the day off so teachers could undergo training.

However, parents have been left frustrated after it was revealed that the teachers went on a “treasure hunt” in central London to see some of the capital’s biggest sightseeing attractions.

School leaders have claimed it would “help build colleagues’ understanding of the subject area to inform their teaching”.

Pupils at Blenheim Primary School in Leigh, Temple Sutton Primary School, and Greenways Primary School were all given the day off on Friday.

Southend resident Paul Sweet, whose grandchildren attend Blenheim Primary School, said: “It surely could have taken place during the six weeks holiday.

“It’s a shameful waste of education time.

“My wife chatted to a few of the mums when picking up the grandchildren - they were all as angry about it as us.”

Mr Sweet also said that parents had had to “cancel plans last minute” to accommodate the inset day.

The academy trust has stated parents were given "months" of notice before the inset day and pointed out that schools must take inset days within the school term under Department for Education guidance.

It comes after children have already had their education significantly impacted by the Covid pandemic with many starting their school careers learning remotely.

A spokesman for the trust, said: “Last Friday, colleagues from across the trust’s schools took part in a scheduled inset day for training and development, which is normal practice in any school throughout the academic year.

“These days are an important part of our training offer and provide colleagues with important opportunities to develop their skills, expertise and teaching practice so we can continue delivering excellent learning experiences for our pupils.

“This recent inset day included team building activities such as a treasure hunt which was centred around the primary curriculum on London history and landmarks, helping to build colleagues’ understanding of the subject area to inform their teaching. Training days such as this are also an important part of our wellbeing offer, as colleagues know we are making an investment in their professional development, helping them to thrive and advance in their careers and enabling them to build meaningful connections with one another as a team.”