School trip £600!!!!!!!!!

Southsaver_2

I can't believe some of these prices for school trips. Only six years ago I went on a college trip to NYC for the thanks giving week. It cost me £200 for the flight and hotel, though the hotel was the West Side YMCA‎.

qetu1357

oscar52 wrote: »

Given the average wage in 1974 was £21, that would be quite expensive

Good point.

Average wage was actually £48 in 1974.

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1975/apr/18/manual-workers-average-wage

Average wage now is £480 so the real cost in 1974 was around £240. Still a lot cheaper than trips nowadays!

oscar52

qetu1357 wrote: »

Good point.

Average wage was actually £48 in 1974.

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1975/apr/18/manual-workers-average-wage

Average wage now is £480 so the real cost in 1974 was around £240. Still a lot cheaper than trips nowadays!

But still a bit expensive for Butlins!!

devildog

I guess the other thing that has to be factored in is how many pupils are going and how many people are required to supervise them(as whatever you pay also pays for their escorts) The battlefields trip appears to take place most years and I have noticed a huge price difference between the local grammar school and local secondary school (grammar charges more for less days)
As far as I am aware too, the collective passports are still being used(if someone can be bothered to do it )

jakes-mum

My 9 yr old came home a few weeks ago with a letter asking me for £230 for an overnight stay at Grafham Water (30 mins from us) where he will do canoeing, nature trails, botany and 'lots of other fun educational activities'. Having forked out £280 for a 5 day trip to scarborough which he returned from friday last, he was told that having had the scarborough trip, we couldnt afford the grafham one aswell and if he really wanted to go do the nature trails, daddy or gran would be happy to take him one weekend for the day!
I also then wrote a letter to our school about the excessive amount of trips and special days with supposed voluntary contributions (though every letter had big bold writing of TRIP WILL UNFORTUNATELY HAVE TO BE CANCELLED IF ENOUGH DONATIONS ARE NOT RECIEVED) and explained that due to our financial situation and the current economic climate DS would not be attending. I also asked that with many parents feeling the pinch was there not a cheaper alternative that they could come up with? . . . . still waiting for a reply

GentleGiant_2

Am sure it has been mentioned in this thread but schools can only ask for contributions for school trips and events (such as swimming lessons) that take place during the school day (even if it runs over by a few hours).

On School holidays you are not obliged to pay for anything that happens during the school day. You have to pay for accommodation and meals. The schools must divide up these costs if you ask.

Sadly many schools do not make this clear on letters, but this is the law and they must abide by it.

Of course if enough people do not pay, then the school may cancel the event or trip.

moromir

Mk14:37 wrote: »

Why don't you get your DD to organise an outing with a few other kids who aren't going on the trip - such as a visit to Eden Camp, Malton or to Beamish museum, followed by an overnight stay at a Travelodge or something like that? A great experience, educational, fun and cheaper!

I don't know the age of the kids involved or how 'sensitive' they are, but just a word of warning re Eden Camp - I went a long time ago, I think I was 12/13 (I'm 24 now) and they had one of the buildings set up inside like a submarine (with sound effects and all) and they've got a drowned sailor (manniquin) bobbing about behind a fake 'porthole' door. I am distinctly uncomfortable even remembering it now and at the time I had to be half carried out of there in hysterics. I have no idea why it go to me so much but it was absolutely horrendous!

ETA: And I should clarify I am absolutely not one for hysterics, I'm pretty sensible and practical!

King_Nothing

I think £600 isn't that bad for 5 day school trip to Berlin, assuming it's actually 5 days in Berlin. You're never going to be able to compare it with a family holiday, purely because it isn't.

schoolrunmum

My freinds kids have been offered a school trip-get this .... £1800!!!!!
Cricket trip to Antgua/Barbados..

Comyface

schoolrunmum wrote: »

My freinds kids have been offered a school trip-get this .... £1800!!!!!
Cricket trip to Antgua/Barbados..

Wow!

I remember my class went to France for the week in about 1986 when I was in 2nd yr seniors. I can't remember how much it was, but I decided it was too expensive and didn't even ask my parents if I could go. I spent the week sitting on my own in a different class (poor me! lol).

I actually told my mum this tale a couple of years ago and it almost broke her heart! Apparently I always was a sensible child.