school trip advice

vippymini

right my dilema,

alisha has come home from school with a letter for a school field trip. its for 3/ 4 days at a cost of £190 per child about 25 mile away.

personally i think its too much at £50 per day especially as they want £50 by wenesday.Hubby has said no but i agree but dont if you know what i mean

the price they set is not the final price as that could go up if kids drop out, yes i may be able to get help but thats only up to a third...

what would you do as i really cant afford it....

rach29

is this a trip during school time? I think there are rules about that as far as affordability goes. I'm sure a more knowledgeable sort wil come along & clarify shortly.

Sounds really expensive though, what are they actually doing on this trip? Is it educational or just a jolly?

vippymini

i thin its during the school week,,,its a field trip so educational...

Fizog

the expense is due to instructor child ratio. If you really can't spare the cash you can A: Tell her she can't go due to financial difficulties and at year 5/6 she should understand though will probably have a big sulk. (Someone in my sons year has 6 kids and none of them went on the adventure trip) or B: say it is possible to find the money at a push but she must understand it is her next birthday present?

victory

if it only 25 miles away are you not able to drop them off saving the transport cost?
Are you not able to pay in instalments?
Can you not explain to the school itself you would like your child to go to the trip but can you not be helped financially?

vippymini

victory wrote:

if it only 25 miles away are you not able to drop them off saving the transport cost?
Are you not able to pay in instalments?
Can you not explain to the school itself you would like your child to go to the trip but can you not be helped financially?

no they wont let us drop and collect.

im guessing there will be installments like £60 a month..

financial help is availabe but is up to a max of £50 depending on circumstances..we both feel its alot of money for a trip especially as we have five kids from 9 down to 16 weeks.

suzzi2704

I think you should get in touch with the school and explain that you think this is rather steep for what it is and ask for a breakdown of where all the money is being spent perhaps?? Also ask other parents when you see them at the school gate their thoughts. If a lot are unhappy, the school will be more understanding and may try and cost cut.
I wouldn't want my child to be left out due to money issues, so if necessary don't be shy to ask for financial help

It does seems rather steep. When I was in school I went to Germany for a week and the whole thing was only £120!!

button16

Is it an educational trip which is essential?? As if it is then I think the school will more or less ensure every child will attend if it is for coursework or something. Although the school should still offer financial help so definately talk to them. Could also be worth talking to your child see how much she wants to go and if she really does maybe could be her birthday pressie or something.

loopy-loo73

hi,
the school should let you pay in installments. i work in a school office & when the y6 go on a trip the parents have between 3 & 4 months to pay & can do so in weekly installments of any amount or by chq in a lump sum if they so wish.
if you explain the situation to your childs teacher perhaps you will be allowed to pay smaller amounts more frequently? or sometimes there is a budget with the LEA which can be dipped into (not the schools budget but one the authority holds for such circumstances) if you are claiming some form of benefit you might be intitled to help?
also you need to bear in mind that the cost of the trip doesnt just cover the transport & accomodation, there will be activities, resources, insurance & very often due to the pupil child ratio extra staff have to go so the school funds for assistants places itself.
not sure i'm helping much as a mother, i don't think i would want my DD to be the only one not going & think i would either stretch to afford it or ask for help
hth
lou x

buxtonrabbitgreen

When my DS was in year 6 the school did an activity week. Cost £300. He didn't even ask me, just told me about it later. He said he knew I wouldn't be able to afford it, but I don't think he particularly wanted to go anyway. My DD did want to go the next year when she was in year 6 so I paid up and she phoned me at least 3 times a day in tears asking me to come and get her as she hated it. I didn't go and get her by the way, I made her get my money's worth, but it was quite useful ,as now ,when she asks to go away on school activity trips I just have to mention this one and say are you sure you want to go...

Becles

If you can't afford it, then don't let her go. My son wil be in the same situation next year as they all go away on an activity week, but with a new baby and me on maternity leave, we'll not be able to afford it.

I know he'll make me feel awful and cruel for not letting him go as nearly everyone else does, but I also think it's important for him to learn that we can't afford everything he wants and that money is better spent on something the whole family can use/enjoy rather than just him.