don't know what to do about my sons 3 night school trip

emsywoo123

onlyroz wrote: »

You really should encourage him to go. Some of my most vivid childhood memories are from school residential trips.

I really think it depends on so many variables, but I think looby is right, if he * really* does not want to go then he should not be made to.

flightinfo

I would definitely speak to the teacher. I have had a similar situation. My DS did not want to go on his trip which is in June but we had to start paying in September (paying monthly). In his case, I did know the reason why (something happening personally at the same time as the trip). I had already spoken to his teacher in July as we had a meeting about the trip and I knew then he wasn't keen to go.

I spoke to the school secretary as he still hadn't made up his mind whether to go or not and the first payment date had passed. It was agreed that given the circumstances (and that his teacher was aware), as long as I let them know before the second payment was due to the centre, he could have a little extra time to decide.

As well as looking at the website, ask his teacher if the school has a dvd on the centre. At the meeting we had in July, a member of staff from the centre came to the school and spoke to the parents and we were shown a dvd. I asked the teacher to borrow this as the children hadn't been shown it and it did help in his decision.

Is he worried that he might not want to join in all the activities? This was another worry for my DS - the member of staff from the centre assured me that they never force a child to do anything (I'm sure they give some gentle encouragement!) - I think (and hope)most centres would follow this policy.

At his school, all the children seem to go and I think he definitely would miss out if he doesn't go (and be very bored for those few days).

loracan1

Humphrey10 wrote: »

I remember this from primary school. The one or two children who didn't go were viewed as pathetic cry-babies who couldn't bear be away from mummy for a night, and were treated quite nastily by some of the other children.

It pleases me that my children don't go to a school like this - they have one or two trips each year for years 4.5 and 6, but with a limited amount of places, so not everyone CAN go. None of this 'one child out of the whole year being left out and picked on' garbage.

looby75

Just a quick update, DS has decided he wants to go on the trip so I paid the £70, fingers crossed he doesn't change his mind as the trip gets closer!

Thanks everyone.

JooFox

Hi Looby75. I hope this all panned out nicely in the end and he had a great time and you got a relaxing break!

looby75

I should have come back and updated this, sorry everyone that replied.

He went on his trip and had a great time. He said he got a bit homesick and didn't sleep very well because the beds creaked lol

He did loads of activities and found out hes actually quite good at archery

heartbreak_star

So glad he had a good time, I had my fingers crossed he would

HBS x

cheepskate_2

looby75 wrote: »

I should have come back and updated this, sorry everyone that replied.

He went on his trip and had a great time. He said he got a bit homesick and didn't sleep very well because the beds creaked lol

He did loads of activities and found out hes actually quite good at archery

Nice to hear it turned out ok