DESPITE Clitheroe Royal Grammar School's only press statement on the matter stating: "We resent the suggestion that we would prevent any student from taking part in any trip on the basis of disability," it was interesting to note that, recently, the Daily Mail reported on another pupil of the school who had been prevented going on visits because he had diabetes.

Although there have been numerous examples of CRGS pupils being involved in acts of misbehaviour, none of these pupils appear to have been prevented from going on visits. Surprise, surprise, the only other pupil prevented was a diabetic!

The school has stated in writing, on more than one occasion, that the reason for the ban on my son, Tom, was his condition. Their nebulous press statement suggested that there had been "past inappropriate behaviour," although after almost nine months they have yet to give an example other than diabetes.

Dr Claire Smith, a consultant paediatrician, who is an expert in diabetes and is fully supported by Diabetes UK, has stated that the school's view on the condition is full of "myths and misconceptions" and is "medically uninformed." In view of this, their press statement seems not only hollow, but deliberately misleading. During this long, drawn-out process, a school governor asked: "What if a member of staff says that if we insist that they have to take Tom they will cancel the whole visit and therefore all the other pupils will suffer?" We could not believe that any professional teacher, showing a duty of care for their pupils, could ever ask such an infantile question which closely resembles "If I can't be captain, I'm taking my ball home."

Once again, surprise, surprise! The forthcoming watersports trip, on which Tom had been accepted before being refused because of his diabetes, has been cancelled and all the pupils have had their deposits refunded.

This is despite a school governor stating that staff put on school visits for the benefit of the pupils!

So far, we have had two pupils suffering educationally because of diabetes and now a full coach load suffering because the school attempts to save face rather than obey Acts of Parliament, the Department for Education and the local Education Authority (LEA). Surely, our children at this school deserve better.

I believe this whole case, which beggars belief, is not really about diabetes, nor is it about discrimination: it is about an arrogant disregard of the procedures laid down by Parliament, the DFEE and the LEA. The rules are very simple and are followed by schools throughout the country. Following the laid-down procedure is not only common sense, it is crucial if pupils at this school are to receive fair treatment and, as parents, we should insist on it.

Why have the governors allowed Clitheroe Royal Grammar School to take up such an untenable position? I am no longer surprised that the school has dug itself into such a deep and indefensible hole, but I am amazed that the governors allow it to keep digging!

MALCOLM WHITE, Slaidburn Road, Waddington.