A NUMBER of angry parents have contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald over their frustration over a four figure refund that is yet to materialise.
After several emails and calls to Haverfordwest High VC School for updates on when the refund was due to be processed, around the sum of £1,000 per pupil, they have had no clarity over the situation.
As part of the lockdown measures introduced by the Welsh Government to restrict the spread of coronavirus, Schools in Wales closed indefinitely on Friday, March 20, along with all non essential travel prohibited from Monday, March 23.
It is believed that around 40 parents had paid for a trip to Italy, which was scheduled for April, however following government advice, the trip was cancelled.
Out of a desperate attempt to try to recover the money, one parent had resorted to contacting their personal family travel insurance company to see if the trip would be covered under their annual policy.
Unfortunately as it was just a child travelling, and none of the adults listed on the policy, they were not eligible to be reimbursed.
One parent, who wishes not to be named, said: “I have been emailing and calling the school, all I have been told is that they are currently in a dispute with the travel company. They are remaining very tight lipped about the whole situation.
“The money should be recovered from the travel insurance company. Then if they say no, you simply follow up and go to the regulator.
“We were told the trip would be ATOL protected, other trip’s have already been refunded, so what’s the hold up?
“If there is a dispute with the travel or insurance company and they are refusing to pay out, because it does not cover a pandemic, then they need to communicate that to us.”
The Herald contacted Haverfordwest High VC School for a statement, a spokesperson said “We are still trying to resolve the situation regarding the refund for this trip.
“The school is awaiting a written response from the travel company and depending on this response, will be working with the insurance company and the legal team at Pembrokeshire County Council to resolve the matter.
When responding to a question as to why other school trips had already been refunded, they said: “Different trips are with different travel providers which is why some trips have been cancelled and money reimbursed and others not.”
