Cancelled school trip

gettingtheresometime

I wonder why the school has cancelled it - after all Paris will be no more dangerous than it was before and I would imagine with the level of security being announced day Paris would be some what safer than other cities around the World.

The point about this situation is that ANY city (let alone a capital city) is 100% safe

oops that should read NO city!

Janepig

tea_lover wrote: »

Has the trip already been paid for? Can't imagine insurance would cover cancellation unless the FCO give official 'don't travel' advice.

Good point. Yes, final instalment was paid in December. I'm sure there must be somewhere on the internet that gives that sort of official travel advice, I shall have a look.

Jx

Janepig

Janepig wrote: »

Good point. Yes, final instalment was paid in December. I'm sure there must be somewhere on the internet that gives that sort of official travel advice, I shall have a look.

Jx

And here it is:

Following the terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and incidents in and around Paris you should be especially vigilant and follow the security advice issued by the French authorities.

There is a high threat from terrorism. Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist groups, and recent French military intervention against ISIL, the French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its security measures. See Terrorism

There are large numbers of illegal migrants in and around Calais, who may seek an opportunity to enter the UK illegally. Although local police patrols have been reinforced, you should keep vehicle doors locked in slow moving traffic and secure your vehicle when it is left unattended.

Around 17 million British nationals visit France every year. Most visits are trouble-free.

Hmmmmmm.

Jx

meritaten

So they are not saying don't go!
Jane, I was in a school choir which travelled overseas and we sang in some amazing places. but Notre Dame wasn't one of them! it would be totally surreal to sing THERE!
I am not sure the school could cancel the trip unless there was a complete ban on travelling to Paris, without losing the money. The kids would be sooooo disappointed and I really don't see the threat being any worse than if they went to London - which also has a high terrorism threat rating.

Janepig

meritaten wrote: »

So they are not saying don't go!
Jane, I was in a school choir which travelled overseas and we sang in some amazing places. but Notre Dame wasn't one of them! it would be totally surreal to sing THERE!
I am not sure the school could cancel the trip unless there was a complete ban on travelling to Paris, without losing the money. The kids would be sooooo disappointed and I really don't see the threat being any worse than if they went to London - which also has a high terrorism threat rating.

It doesn't say don't go, but it reads to me like it's not really saying anything concrete. So if they go and something did happen I couldn't point to that advice and say "well the government said it was okay to go". And yet there's nothing for an insurance company to point to to say "they're saying not to go". If that makes sense. It's sort of non committal advice!

DD was really disappointed today at this turn of events. I just wish I could go with them if they do go, I'd love to see and hear them singing in Notre Dame. They were supposed to be going to Disneyland Paris for the day too, which was possibly slightly more of a draw for DD than Notre Dame! Although she may change her mind when (if) she gets there.

Jx

meritaten

Jane - I think if an area is especially dangerous the advice is 'Don't go'. They haven't said that - just to be vigilant.
Re - The money paid for the trip, will probably be to a travel agent. unless there is a good reason for cancellation, the money wont be refunded. you, and the other parents need to meet with the trip organisers and ask what the position is.

Yolina

pogofish wrote: »

Looks like the terrorists have won then! - Well done that bunch of cowards at the OP's kid's school.

What a lesson to teach for the future.

The millions who took to the streets yesterday back home in France say otherwise

pollypenny

It is very disappointing, but think of it from a teacher's point of view.

A school trip abroad can be stressful, so with the heightened threat level and increased security measures it will be much worse.

It's likely that some of the planned visits, such as timed visits to the Eiffel Tower couldn't run.

As a teacher, I wouldn't relish the trip. But sorry for your daughter, Jane.

Janepig

pollypenny wrote: »

It is very disappointing, but think of it from a teacher's point of view.

A school trip abroad can be stressful, so with the heightened threat level and increased security measures it will be much worse.

It's likely that some of the planned visits, such as timed visits to the Eiffel Tower couldn't run.

As a teacher, I wouldn't relish the trip. But sorry for your daughter, Jane.

Absolutely Pol, I wouldn't want to take a bunch of kids out at the best of times! I'd be on pins!

I'm not someone who complains about teachers on school trips, I'm grateful to them taking my children away!! In the nicest possible way of course!

Jx

pollypenny

I know you're not, Jane. And she's settled so well in the school, too.

Can you imagine the press if there was even a minor incident involving a British school,though?