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Cost of school trips

pingua
pingua Posts: 1,671 Forumite
in Marriage, relationships & families
Does anyone else think these have shot up over the last year?

We have just had a letter asking for £15 and £5 for the 'educational' shop. Last trip was the same too.

Comments

  • Reggie_Rebel
    Reggie_Rebel Posts: 5,036 Forumite
    I haven't noticed but wouldn't be surprised. As most trips are operated by coach then the increase in the cost of diesel and other general running costs would mean that most operators have increased their prices which the school probably has to pass on
    It's taken me years of experience to get this cynical
  • bonty44
    bonty44 Posts: 439 Forumite
    Plus increase in insurance / risk assessment / extra staffing / CRB checks for volunteers, etc., etc.
  • alwaysonthego_2
    alwaysonthego_2 Posts: 8,471 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    bonty44 wrote: »
    Plus increase in insurance / risk assessment / extra staffing / CRB checks for volunteers, etc., etc.
    CRBs for volunteers are usually free.
  • Krystaltips
    Krystaltips Posts: 9,220 Forumite
    Our school usually sends a breakdown of costs with the letter home, it is usually more for the coach than the entry for wherever they're going... Eg, Twycross Zoo on Tuesday this week... £4 entry to the zoo, £6.50 for the coach...
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  • bonty44
    bonty44 Posts: 439 Forumite
    edited 4 June 2009 at 6:45PM
    alwaysonthego wrote: »
    CRBs for volunteers are usually free.
    Wasn't aware of that. Disclosures have always cost in the past, glad they are making them free now. I'd always thought they were free for employees but that the employer had to pay something like £31 for a standard check and £36 for an enhanced one; but that was a few years ago now.
  • phunkles
    phunkles Posts: 1,711 Forumite
    Has the school stated the amount is required or have they used the term - contributions of £x amount is required?
    Contributions implies that its not a mandatory fee.
    If its an issue you feel strongly about raise the issue at your next PTA meeting

    Also most schools will offer a payment scheme where by you can pay of the amount over a number of weeks if you so wish to :) - again enquire at the school

    But like others have said price of coach hire is increasing as is the enterance fee to a number of attractions
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  • annie_d
    annie_d Posts: 933 Forumite
    The school shouldn't be asking your for the cost of the trip but for a voluntary contribution towards it. You can send to the school what you can afford. It doesnt have to be the full amount.
  • pollypenny
    pollypenny Posts: 29,410 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 5 June 2009 at 2:30PM
    Organising a school trip is a pain and worry. In an ideal world trips would be free, met from the council tax. Unfortunately, costs have to be met by the school.

    Every theatre trip I ran, had a subsidy from the school, as well as the concessionary rate. I always worried about selling all the places though. I also booked 57, so that a full coach made transport cheaper. If not enough people paid, it couldn't go ahead. I used to gaze into space and say "If anyone has real trouble with this, come and see me quietly."

    OP has my sympathy; I bet the teacher organising the trip is unhappy that she/he has to charge more. But, remember, it would cost you more to take your child yourself.
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  • Valli
    Valli Posts: 25,183 Forumite
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    annie_d wrote: »
    The school shouldn't be asking your for the cost of the trip but for a voluntary contribution towards it. You can send to the school what you can afford. It doesnt have to be the full amount.
    However if the school does not receive sufficient funds to cover the cost of the trip it may well be cancelled...
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