The girls were swept along Stainforth Beck

The activity was part of a residential week planned by Royds School in Oulton, near Leeds.

Mr Sleightholme told the jury: "It may be as you listen to the evidence you are of the view that a number of persons, from the director of education... the headmaster... even down to the teachers, have not performed quite as well as liked.

And that they have failed in certain respects or could have done differently."

The coroner said he will be writing to the relevant authorities to ensure a similar tragedy does not happen again.

He encouraged members of the jury to write down any observations they might have.

He said in future he hoped people will be better informed and better trained.

He also called for better communication and better standards of assessment and risk.

River bed

Earlier the inquest heard from an outdoor activity expert who told how two teachers acted bravely to try to save the girls.

But Marcus Bailee went on to tell the hearing they should not have been there in the first place.

The outing, which involved paddling along the river bed, was led by teachers Andy Miller, 48, and Liz Schofield, 28.

Mr Bailee, head of inspection services for the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority, told the jury how it was normal for children to stumble and help each other during "river walks".

But he criticised the fact that neither teacher was identified as the clear leader of the walk.