Residential School Trip Payment

MoniqueUnique

Hi everyone,
This is the first time I've posted a new thread (had to watch the clip to work out how to do it), so here goes...
My DD is due to go on a residential trip with her year in Primary School next year and the deposit (£45) and first payment (£35) were due by end September (which I have paid), with other payments to be made over the coming months. The school (in Scotland) said I could pay cash or cheque. I asked if I could put it on my credit card but they said no as they don't have those facilities. However I was under the impression that if I paid over £100 on my credit card, then my money would be safeguarded in the event that the residential education centre goes bust. I thought I could go into the local authority/council offices in a nearby town to pay as they would have a credit card reader but I was told no. Am I right to be concerned? Do other parents just accept that we pay cash in instalments? Also I asked about what would happen if my daughter is unable to attend for medical reasons or other reason eg anxiety, would I get either the deposit back or some or all of the money and was told I would get it all refunded regardless of the reason, but that was just written in an email to me; there has been no paperwork provided outlining any small print about money. Also I didn't know whether I should purchase insurance for my daughter or whether it's included, or whether I need any. So any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.:)

k3lvc

MoniqueUnique wrote: »

Hi everyone,
This is the first time I've posted a new thread (had to watch the clip to work out how to do it), so here goes...
My DD is due to go on a residential trip with her year in Primary School next year and the deposit (£45) and first payment (£35) were due by end September (which I have paid), with other payments to be made over the coming months. The school (in Scotland) said I could pay cash or cheque. I asked if I could put it on my credit card but they said no as they don't have those facilities. However I was under the impression that if I paid over £100 on my credit card, then my money would be safeguarded in the event that the residential education centre goes bust. I thought I could go into the local authority/council offices in a nearby town to pay as they would have a credit card reader but I was told no. Am I right to be concerned? Do other parents just accept that we pay cash in instalments? Also I asked about what would happen if my daughter is unable to attend for medical reasons or other reason eg anxiety, would I get either the deposit back or some or all of the money and was told I would get it all refunded regardless of the reason, but that was just written in an email to me; there has been no paperwork provided outlining any small print about money. Also I didn't know whether I should purchase insurance for my daughter or whether it's included, or whether I need any. So any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.:)

You're over-analysing this - you have it in writing (albeit email) re cancellation.

If you're worried about insurance then ask them or just buy it anyway

And for credit cards some schools offer it via ParentPay etc but presumably there's a (significant) cost involved so cash/cheque is king - your suggestion re paying at the council offices is like suggesting you go into Tesco Edinburgh to pay for shopping in Tesco Glasgow - more hassle to them that it's worth

TBagpuss

I agree that you are probably over analysisng. You have written conformation of the cancellation situation - the fact that it is an e-mail doesn't matter, providing that it has come from the school you're entitled to rely on it.

Insurance - what kind of insurance are you thinking of? For travel delays etc if the school is taking them then I think it would be the school's responsibility to get them there and back, (again, if they are not going overseas this may simplky be on the bais of 'if we break down it will be donwb to the coach company to send a new coach / another staff member to drive out the school's second minibus' rather than paying for a specifc policy. If they are going further afield then the cost may include insurance.
I would expect nay activity entre to have it's own insurance and any residential place to have (at a minimum ) occupier's liability insurance.

But if you are concerned, ask the school.

Accepting credit card paments is expensive - you could suggest to the school that they put it in place but it would result in higher costs, and it's probably not cost effective for the school to offer it.

jackomdj

Re the credit card you would be paying the school rather than the third party so you would not be covered anyway.

I agree with the others, go with the glow. The school will have done this many times before and will have all necessary precautions in place.

jaylee3

I wouldn't worry about it. My sister's daughter was going on a trip to France with the school several years ago, and it was booked about 7 months in advance. After about 4 months she fell out big time with 3 girls going on the trip, and they were being really nasty and saying they couldn't wait til the trip and would make her life hell.

So she said to my sister that she no longer wished to go, even though my sister had paid £250 so far towards the trip. (I think it cost £375 to £400.) They asked her to put it in writing that her daughter didn't want to go anymore, so she did. Within a week, she received a cheque for the £250 she had already paid.

jemb

Agree with the others, the School will have it down. Dont forget, if the School does have the ability to process your payment, they will incure a 2.5% charge for the use of your card. Thus making them out of pocket as the 2.5% will come off the money your paying so your payment wont equal what is required for the trip.

Craftingmama01

Nothing else to add other than I hope your little one has a good time. It can be quite stressful letting your child go on their first residential trip maybe your over analysing is due to concerns letting them go. I would be exactly the same.