The council has published advice for schools on what to do if parents object to religious trips

Schools are offering virtual tours of mosques after parents refused to allow their children to visit them on school trips.

Families have the right to withdraw pupils from visits to places of worship and some parents have voiced concerned about safety or a “political agenda”.

Now head teachers have been issued with guidance about religious education trips and what to do if parents oppose such visits.

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education in Staffordshire has published a template letter that schools can send to parents, outlining the value of helping pupils understand different cultures and faiths.

It said requests to withdraw children from these activities was “a serious matter”, adding: “While objections are raised about visits to a number of places of worship, they