should I send my DD on expensive school trip?

jellyhead

rsdiscos wrote: »

I am a teacher myself and going on residentials really allowed some children to come out of their shells. My husband's a teacher to and one mum was worried about her child not eating so he posted before and after pictures of her plate on the school blog that the parents could access daily to see what the children were doing!

I worried about my son not eating, so I spoke to a TA beforehand and she promised that no matter what he could have bread and water available at each meal (he was very anxious and had food phobias). She had to ask for bread or toast for him a couple of times, but he generally ate what was available and he even ate something he wouldn't touch at home (spag bol) and carried on eating it when he got home

He also came out of his shell because he did great at archery and beat the teacher, and she made a big deal out of it to boost his confidence.

I think these trips are fab for kids, especially shy ones. If I couldn't afford it I would go without family holidays, for years if necessary.

gratefulforhelp_2

If money is more the problem than principle, maybe approach the head and explain this?

As a governing body we sometimes find money for people to go on trips who couldn't otherwise go.

Blobby8_2

If you can afford it, send her, if you cant, then dont. I never went on trips, it was sh1ite.

DVardysShadow

banson wrote: »

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)

There is no great principle here that says she should not go. It is purely one of those costs arising from your move to allow your daughter to integrate better

winnie81

I would try let her go if you can and have a word with the school they can often help out with the cost of the residential. My 2 are in the same year at school and they helped towards cost of there year 3 residential trip - 2nights/3days £190 each - ouch! They have a residential in years 4/5/6 in the kids school and I will let them go as long as the school can help pay for it as it becomes more and more expensive and paying x 2 is a lot!

I'd let her go she'll bond a great deal and learn a lot hopefully too. Our local school has always done residential's every year from yr 4 (occasionally 2 for events) and in secondary school its 1/2 sometimes 3 each year EEEK!

POPPYOSCAR

Both my daughter and son went to the IOW for a week in year 6. I think it cost about £270.00

They had a really fantastic time, so much so, that my son sulked all weekend when he got back because he did not want to come home!


Just wait until they get to senior school where the trips cost anything from £700 to over £1,000!!!!

Spendless

My son went in March (yr 6) for 2 nights and it cost £128, so I think yours is comparable in price. We didn't get a years notice though! More like 4 months, fortunately I knew it was coming due to several friend's with older kids and had gone and asked the receptionist before an official letter went out.

Unless several people are saying the same thing as yourself ie it's too expensive, and the kids are too young, I doubt your comments will make any difference. It's subjective as to whether you think the children are too young, as others will be more mature/independant or have an older sibling so parents will have gone through the 'eek, will they be ok' before and may be more relaxed with a different child.

My DS slept out with cubs aged 8, was fine and has done many other trips. My DD aged 8 was offerred the chance of a trip with Brownies and refused cos 'it was too far away, and she's too little to be away from her mummy and daddy' Those were her words not mine! Me and DH were fine with her going.

Only 1 child from DS's year didn't go, and was put into a different class whilst the others were there.

Until DS went away with school I hadn't realised how good they can be for bonding.

How much more is the trip in yr 6 and where does it take place in the school year ie do you get another year's notice to save or not?

jellyhead

Spendless wrote: »

Only 1 child from DS's year didn't go, and was put into a different class whilst the others were there.

Same here - only 1 child out of 74 didn't go, and he had to spend the week in a class with smaller children. The others kids thought it was odd that he didn't go.

narabanekeater

our school has trips away in years 3-6.Please make the effort to go to a PTA meeting. I help run ours and I promise were not all like you say. Id gladly make you a cuppa and we even have biscuits!

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi, I think school residential trips are great. My son missed his Year 6 residential week because he has health problems and was just too ill to go. It would have cost £250 Monday to Friday which seems about average from what everyone else is saying.

What annoys me a bit about our school is they make assumptions that everyone will just send their child on these trips. DS is going for a one night residential trip soon and its cost £85. I am pleased that he is going and he is really excited. However when we got the letter it basically said "we are taking Year 5 on a trip, please can we have £85". I guess if you couldnt afford it you could go to school and say so but I would find that really embarrassing. There was never any suggestion in the letter than any of the Year 5 parents might not be able to afford it or might not want their child to go.

I guess these trips have become so much part of school life now. When I was younger they were only for the very well off.