Condover Hall

Peter333

Yes it IS a lot.

However, a few years ago, my daughter went with her school on a trip to London (about 2 hours from us on the train,) when she was 15, to see the sights and a show, (staying one night.) It was £150. You could have knocked me down with a feather!

Annoyingly, the children who had free school meals went for free. Out of the 36 that went; only my daughter and 12 others actually had to pay themselves! (Or rather we had to pay for her!)

But all her buddies were going, and she had not been to London without her us (her parents) before, and she BEGGED to go. She even said she would pay us back! (We never had it back off her LOL.)

So she went, and it's now one of her happiest memories. She LOVED it.

It was part of the drama and performing arts GCSE course, so that's why they went to the show, but they were free to mooch around London, in groups of 5 or 6, within reasonable walking distance of the hotel. The hotel was in Covent Garden, so they were allowed to go to Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, Oxford Street, The Palace, Westminster: all over some of the best sights. They had about 5 hours one day to look around, and about 5 the next day, and they also went on an excursion.

And as some people have already stated, it's not just the trip; it's the wages for the teachers, and insurance and all sorts. And yes, unfortunately, it IS the 'norm' to be paying these kinds of prices for VERY short school trips these days!

It is a lot, but it's worth it!

P.S. As for double mummy's post (number 6,) no I would NOT be allowing that. £140 for one night, just five minutes from home, AND you have to buy (or rent) the camping gear! I suppose they will tell you that you can borrow it off someone, but I don't know a soul who has camping gear! LOL.

suejb2

My D.D had a trip in Year 6 for 3 days and 2 nights ,that cost £80 to go Ampleforth.

Nikkisun

Last summer my son went on two trips

3 nights camping with the school - 20 miles up the road at a cost of £190

2 weeks away with army cadets - 200 miles away at a cost of £85

Both trips included travel, food and activities!

esmy

Several years ago now, DDs primary school asked for a ridiculous amount to visit a local museum for the afternoon, 10 minutes away and free entry to all. I asked for a breakdown of the costs per child and wasn't satisfied with school's response. I suspect those who were willing to pay subsidised those who's families weren't willing/able to pay. I ended up taking her myself.

I do think that schools should offer a breakdown of the costs as some outings are better value than others and I think it's quite reasonable that parents should know what they are paying for.

gettingtheresometime

Nikkisun wrote: »

Last summer my son went on two trips

3 nights camping with the school - 20 miles up the road at a cost of £190

2 weeks away with army cadets - 200 miles away at a cost of £85

Both trips included travel, food and activities!

My son was lucky enough to get chosen to go to Sweden with the Sea Cadets, flights included, for £100 for a fortnight

The point is however these trips with the Army Cadets/Sea Cadets/Air Cadets are subsidised by the Armed Services so in reality you're not comparing like with like

liney

£160/3 is less than £54 per day, which will include transport, food, board and all activities for 3 days.

The price on their website is from £39 per child plus Vat so at least £46.80 will be going to Condover Hall , per night, so you are only being charged a maximum of £20 in transport costs.

It sounds like good value to me.

maman

Peter333 wrote: »

And as some people have already stated, it's not just the trip; it's the wages for the teachers, and insurance and all sorts. And yes, unfortunately, it IS the 'norm' to be paying these kinds of prices for VERY short school trips these days!

It is a lot, but it's worth it!

Teachers are paid just the same as when they are at school so that wouldn't be one of the costs.


To answer OP, I thinkyour DD will have a great experience. I've done loads of these residential trips and it's just not possible to recreate it as a parent. It's really character building to have to cope without a parent and with all your mates around you especially if they don't regularly go away with brownies or similar.


It's a lot of money to find if you haven't planned for it so if you just can't afford it then she can't go but that's not the same question as whether the visit is worthwhile.

double_mummy

Lets_say wrote: »

Blimey, I'm single but if I were paying £240.for one night in total I would be expecting fluffy feather duvets in a 4 star hotel and cava at the least on tap. I can't help feeling some of these school organisers think that doting parents equal cash cows.....

the school is on the edge of a very deprived area so i do imagine there is a bit of covering other kids costs i cant find the actual price of the place they are going to so i dont know how much it would be but i now know they are using the school minibus to transport them to the place so no extra costs for transport

i have managed to find a couple of bits of camping stuff i can borrow but he still needs certain clothes and shoes and other bits and bobs

im still undecided at this point

BargainJunky

My son is also in Year 6 and last week came home with details of his Year 6 residential trip. It is for 3 days/2 night at the Pioneer Centre in Cleobury Mortimer. The cost is £156

My niggle is that only 46 out of the year group can go (his year has three classes of up to 30 children). If demand exceeds the allowed number they will consider a list of criteria - excellent/good behaviour, attendance etc.

I have sent in his application but have no idea if he will get a place.

Spendless

maman wrote: »

Teachers are paid just the same as when they are at school so that wouldn't be one of the costs.

I think Peter may have meant the instructors who teach at the destination, rather than school staff.

BargainJunky wrote: »

My niggle is that only 46 out of the year group can go (his year has three classes of up to 30 children). If demand exceeds the allowed number they will consider a list of criteria - excellent/good behaviour, attendance etc.

That;'s common in Secondary schools where more children don't go than do. I've not come across it at Primary school though. My eldest was in a year with almost 90 kids across 3 classes. Each class went for 2 nights each so 3 separate trips took place over a week. Everyone went on his trip from his year.

Last year, DD was in a year with 2 classes, around 70 pupils but again 2 separate trips for 2 nights ere done. This time around 3 or 4 of them didn't go.