should I send my DD on expensive school trip?

KateBob

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Would you mind sending me a message with the details of this trip please? I'd like to know whereabouts in the country your school is and where the children are going for the residential, eg school in Norfolk, getting coach to PGL centre in xxx to do 3 days outward bounds activities ... would be perfect!

It sounds great value and we need our Head to look at more affordable residential trip options, in my opinion.

Sent you the details I've got in a message.

Not sure it'll be much help, the centre is owned by our Local council which is why I suspect it's cheap for us.

shy-but-need-help

If it's a church school could you suggest they look for cheaper options next time by looking at the youth retreats within the diocese, most will have them, some have truly awesome ones and very often cheap too.

You'd like our friends association, we became one because we hated the twinset and pearls image PTA springs to mind, 3 of us have special needs students at the school so want to give something back, 2 of us have babies on hips through most the events (I fall into both catagories!) and we all dragged each other into it because the school didn't have one, desperately needed one and we were the moms on the outskirts of the playground who got talking because we didn't fit with the fashionable mothers.

pigpen

Why is that expensive???

My daughter has gone on residentials with school in year 4 and 5 and is going again in September when she will be in year 6.. this one is £185.. heavily subsidised by council and charity and school grants.. it should have been £360 without the grants. She is also going on one with church in August which is also heavily subsidised and has 2/3rds paid so it £35 per child, I have 2 going.. 1 in yr 3 and the one in yr 5 currently.

I think you are being bit of skinflint, I saved her child benefit and paid it with that.. but she has gone without loads of new clothes this summer!.. but if you can't afford it don't send her.. simple as! checking back to your post.. You will have had a year to pay for this anyway.. that makes it a few £'s a week.. I honestly don't understand what your gripe is.

Mine is also going 3 nights..

3 nights, 4 days worth of meals, CRB checked, first aid trained staff plus the costs of the accomodation AND transport AND insurance... how much would you expect it to be?!

caledonian_princess

Your husband can still complain about the trip even if your daughter goes on it can't he? If anything, it strengthens his case in that his daughter has her heart set on going and he isn't about to refuse her but still feels that he has a valid complaint.

shellsuit

I'd send her. These little trips are a fantastic way for the kids to bond with each other, and especially in her case as she is quite new.

If you want to send her and can afford to, I would

banson

Please dont think I am being tightfisted..I'm not being a skinflint, I can afford it as I have been saving some money in her account. Although I am by no means well off. I would give my last penny if I thought it would benefit her.

The issues I just wanted to run past everyone were:

1) is it normal for schools to send kids on residentials in yr5 AND yr6
2) did you feel it would affect her if she DIDNT go

and also just get some opinions/have a rant. Im not getting much support from OH (quite the opposite) I suppose it just seems like there are a lot of activities going on in the school, at the moment but not so much "serious" work, as I said before she is struggling with her maths and has only just gained more confidence in her literacy...

Becles

The primary school here does them in year 5 and year 6. I think it was nearly £400 each, which I couldn't afford. My boys have two years between them so that was potentially £400 for 4 years in a row!

I just explained to them that it was very expensive and pointed out that we go on trips and stuff in the summer holidays. I left the choice up to them - did they want the school trip, or did they want the several family days out over the year to various places. Thankfully they both chose the family days out

I did feel sorry for them as no work was left at school for them that week, and they ended up "helping out" by putting up art displays and listening to little ones read and stuff.

CH27

As affordability isn't an issue, I would let your daughter decide if she wants to go or not.

the_cat

If you can afford it and she wants to go, then you should let her.

I think her fitting in and her happiness is more important than the 'principle' that OH seems to want to fight. The thing is, she is the one who will miss out so that he can prove a point. Let him stick to his principles on an issue where HE is the one to take the consequences, not her. Making her miss out on something she wants and you can afford just so he can prove a point would be rather selfish imo

banson

Thanks, my gut feeling is to send her, but this means potential falling out with OH, especially if stuff goes wrong (e.g. phoning up in floods of tears asking to come home- I would expect a big "told you so" speech) he already says he doesnt get consulted properly or I ignore his wishes when it comes to decisions like this. He is sticking to his guns and saying she shouldnt go "out of principle" and that she is too young (she is very babyish)

I remember going on a brilliant residential/outward bound course myself with school but I was about 12 at the time.

I know £180 isnt an outrageous cost. The one next year is much more expensive though.

Makes me relieved I only have one to pay for though, it must be hard having to pay for multiple siblings on various trips!