BBC News | EDUCATION | Mother dismayed over trip death appeal

The mother of a teenage girl killed on a school trip to France has spoken of her disappointment at the delay in hodling an inquest.

The teacher convicted of the manslaughter of 13-year-old Gemma Carter from Leeds, has been given an appeal date by a French court.

Mark Duckworth who was supervising Gemma's school party, will appear in court at Le Touquet on 15 January.

The schoolgirl's body was discovered by a fisherman two miles along the coast in June 1999.

Teacher Mark Duckworth
Mark Duckworth remains suspended from his job

But Gemma's mother Sharon Carter said she thought the six-month suspended sentence imposed on Mr Duckworth was the end of the matter.

"Obviously a great disappointment came over me when I knew it was going to appeal.

"This will hold the inquest up and we need to put it all behind us."

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) maintain the verdict of the French court was unfair.

Pat McGuire, NUT regional officer, said: "Both Mr Duckworth and the NUT believe that Gemma's death was a tragic accident.

Gemma Carter, 13, from Cottingley, Leeds
Gemma became separated from the group

"That is why we want it resolved on appeal."

Gemma, from Cotttingley, Leeds, was on a week-long trip with 43 other children and five teachers.

On the second day she was paddling in the sea when she became separated from the main group and drowned.

Mr Duckworth remains suspended from his post as a French teacher at Cockburn High School, Beeston, Leeds.


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