SCHOOL trips to destinations across the globe have been cancelled because of the coronavirus.

Hundreds of children from the county’s primary and secondary schools would have been heading to destinations across Britain, Europe and beyond in the next two months.

However, the global pandemic has resulted in the postponement of more than 30 trips.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “School residential trips can provide an opportunity for learning and personal development away from the normal school and home environment.

“Taking account of the current coronavirus situation, and essential government, health and FCO advice, the cancellation of these trips has been unavoidable.”

Each of the county’s six secondary schools has been affected by the global situation.

Separate groups of pupils from Dunbar Grammar School were due to be heading to California and Germany next month.

Meanwhile, youngsters at Knox Academy had Italy, Paris and London pencilled in their diaries; and Musselburgh Grammar School were due to head to Paris and Normandy.

North Berwick High School pupils were to visit New York, Washington and Malawi, while Preston Lodge High School had the Netherlands and Paris marked on the school calendar.

Finally, pupils from Ross High School were to visit Spain and Old Trafford, home of Manchester United Football Club.

Claire Slowther, headteacher of Dunbar Grammar School, said it was disappointing for pupils.

She said: “Students and staff are disappointed but we will explore options when we return to school, to see if we are able to offer these experiences to the students at a future date.”

S1 students were due to spend a week in Bad Segeberg, near Hamburg, as part of a modern languages trip. During the trip, students would immerse themselves in German culture and language.

Meanwhile, S3 students would travel to the battlefields of Belgium and France, and S5/6 pupils were due to head to San Francisco and Yosemite to explore the connection between Dunbar-born John Muir and America.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, the local authority’s spokeswoman for education, acknowledged a number of youngsters would be disappointed at missing out on trips but added safety was key.

She said: “During these unprecedented times, I know that pupils, parents and carers will understand the reasoning behind the cancellation of the school trips at home and abroad. The priority for us first and foremost is the safety of our pupils and school staff, and that continues to be the case.

“Thank you to all our school staff who are engaging with families to ensure that payments on affected trips will be reimbursed.”

Trips affected include: Athelstaneford Primary School – Scottish Outdoor Education Centre; Dirleton Primary School – Scottish Outdoor Education Centre; Dunbar Primary School – Innerwick Outdoor Centre; Dunbar Grammar School – battlefields, activities week home packages, California, Germany; Elphinstone Primary School – Lockerbie Manor; Gullane Primary School - Scottish Outdoor Education Centre; Haddington Primary School – Benmore; Knox Academy – Italy, Paris, London and PGL France Watersports; Law Primary School – P7 Lagganlia residential camp; Longniddry Primary School – York; Loretto Primary School – Lockerbie Manor; Musselburgh Grammar School – Paris, Normandy and Dalguise; Musselburgh Burgh Primary School – Lockerbie Manor; North Berwick High School – New York, Washington, Malawi, S3 residential; Pencaitland Primary School – school camp; Preston Lodge High School – Paris, London, Valkenburg, north-west England, Leicester; Ross High School – Spain, Manchester United, activities week home packages; Saltoun Primary School – Lockerbie Manor; Yester Primary School – Benmore.