How do you feel about expensive foreign school trips?

Newly_retired

I organised a number of trips during my teaching career. There were always some free places for the leader and maybe one other teacher. After all, we were giving up not just part of our holiday but had huge responsibility for the whole of the time we were away, day and night. That is no small thing.
Yes, some of the staff costs were included in the cost per child, but if staff did not go, the trip would not happen, would it?
You'd be surprised how few parents actually said thank you. There were times when a parent failed to turn up to collect their child on our return! But usually most trips were of huge benefit to everyone and much appreciated.
I'd also say that there were costs for me, often some suitable clothing, gifts for our hosts, souvenirs, some of which would be used in lessons, and other things you end up paying for out of your own pocket.

cannyscot_2

My eldest only went on 2 band trips that were about £180 each we said no to everything else including going overnight on a bus to Alton towers. She just accepted it as due to MSE/Hotukdeals we go on pretty great holidays as a family.

now no 2 has a trip to disneyland paris for some IT expo. £450 for about 4 days. We always said no because most trips from scotland go overnight on a coach and Im against them. ...but this is train and eurostar! blast so now I am not sure.

My sister send hers on £1500 school trips to LA on basis they would never go but I do think it is mad as I could organise a brilliant holiday for her whole family for that.

Wyre

I paid half of all the trips I went on and my music lessons. I knew that unless I did there was no way I could go as there were 5 of us (I am the oldest). I had an early morning paper round and worked in a shop on Saturday but this was when shops gave jobs to under 16's and my boss was not so strict at keeping to the permitted working hours for a school child (I would be going in at 6am for the papers!).

My lad is starting business studies in September and we know there is a 2 week trip to the US associated with it although we have no costs or paperwork as yet. My eldest went for a week 4 years ago and it was £1200 then so we are dreading it but I don't want him missing out on the advantage the rest of the class will have.

He is 16 so we are trying to get him a job so he can contribute but this, like a lot of places, is lacking in opportunities. I may be borrowing for the bank of Mum if it comes to it.

divadee

I think my DD school holds the record for most expensive school trip £3200 for a trip to New Zealand. Bless DD she told us about it I asked where the letter was and she replied I didn't bother ringing it home as I wouldn't want you to spend that sort of money.

TBH we couldn't of afforded that just for her, and I think the school has a cheek to ask for that sort of money.

gregg1

gingin wrote: »

I am just interested in other people's opinions on school trips, really I mean the expensive foreign trips they seem to be offering in senior school.

DS has excitedly brought home a letter for a £920 ski trip. I guess once we have bought appropriate clothing and spending money it's £1200+. We can afford it but both myself and my husband feel slightly uncomfortable at throwing so much money at something that:-

a) might not be fully appreciated

b) will undoubtedly not be accessible for all classmates ( a personal opinion we both raised, having never discussed it together before, which was interesting )

c) the money could be better spent ( for example we could have a family weekend away and still put away a good chunk of money for uni) .

We haven't properly discussed or decided what we will do but I was interested in all perspectives and I know my husband will be too, whether it's a straight "no" we can't afford it, or a "yes" when faced with a letter offering a great opportunity for their child but at a very high price.

My kids never went on trips abroad. Not just because of the expense but for other reasons as well. They were never really bothered about going enough to warrant the expense and we, in all honesty, were nervous about them going (although we would probably have let them had they shown enough enthusiasm). If there was anywhere they wanted to go abroad then we went together as a family.

They have certainly not suffered any hardship by not going with the school and we have had some fantastic holidays together over the years.

YORKSHIRELASS

I feel quite strongly about this. I think that schools should only offer trips that are within the means of most of the families at the school.

I gave up my career to care for my eldest son who has severe health problems so we dont have the means to pay for these trips and I cant do overtime at work or get a second job to pay for them (even if I wanted to).

There should be a maximum cost for trips and I dont understand what the school gains by offering very expensive holidays abroad to the kids. If you cant afford to send your child it sets them apart from their friends and puts them at a disadvantage.

My son didnt even bring the letter home about his schools £800 skiing trip as he knew there was no point. To be fair he has been abroad with Primary School on a government funded scheme which cost us very little and he had a fantastic time. This was a very educational trip though and he spent time in a foreign school. He isnt really bothered about skiing but I am sure the time will come when he wants to do something and we have to say no.

I do know of someone who said to their child if they wanted to go on a school trip they had to go without Christmas presents that year. Thats fair enough but even that wouldnt cover the cost of many of these trips nowadays.

C_Mababejive

When i was at school,such trips were just pie in the sky. I was one of the kids who never went on them.

Aye..such experiences made me what i am today. A curmudgeon and an all round tw&t . Character building stuff..

fawd1

I never got to go on a school trip, although not through my parents or my choice. They had told me that I could go on one trip in secondary school (holiday, not day trip). Anyway, we were given a list of the holidays that were going to be available in the next 4 years. The first one I picked to go on was a trip to Jerusalem which I thought would be fascinating (not particularly religious, just loved the idea). This was cancelled because of the perceived danger. The other one I wanted to go on was a trip to Moscow and St Petersburg. This was advertised at the same time as a Barcelona trip and was on at the same time. I chose Moscow, the Barcelona trip filled up, and the Moscow trip was cancelled. Bah.

kjmtidea

My eldest went to France last year for 5 days, that was £250 which I thought was pretty good - they did so much and had a day at disneyland. He is off to grammar school in september so I have a feeling the school trips are going to be very expensive!

boiler_man

My DD school do a 4 week trip to an African country where they safari and carry out volunteer work at a cost of approx £4000. They are expected to fundraise to reduce the cost to parents.

My DD is not going!