school trip refund?

geordiepip1

My daughter is due to go on a school trip in her next school year and we have already had to make 2 instalments (total of £170). She has now been offered a place at another school but we wondered whether we would be able to get our money back?


I think that we've already had to make payments for a trip which isnt even in her current year group is a little unreasonable but the school said if we didnt then they wouldnt secure her a place.


Can we reasonably ask for our money back if she moves schools?

gettingtheresometime

The problem I can see the school raising is that they have had to presumably pay a deposit to secure your daughter's place on the trip so unless they can get the money back from them or someone else takes your daughter's place then you're going to have a hard job arguing the case.


Ask by all means (if you don't ask you don't get!) but be prepared to lose the money

Justwe03

I'm going through a similar issue with having just paid for all the after school clubs for my daughter's next term. £180. I'm going to ask but assuming the money is gone unfortunately. Best of luck!

pinkshoes

geordiepip1 wrote: »

My daughter is due to go on a school trip in her next school year and we have already had to make 2 instalments (total of £170). She has now been offered a place at another school but we wondered whether we would be able to get our money back?


I think that we've already had to make payments for a trip which isnt even in her current year group is a little unreasonable but the school said if we didnt then they wouldnt secure her a place.


Can we reasonably ask for our money back if she moves schools?

No, you can't.

The money you have paid is a place on the trip, and the price will be based on X number of pupils going. The school cannot just get money back for one child, as the refund would be very little.

You could perhaps see if they could refund any excursion ticket costs, but again that depends on whether it is a group price or individual price. Usually group for a school, so unlikely any refund would be due.

Could you ask the school if there is a waiting list so someone could take her place?

TBagpuss

I doubt you are entitle to the money back, but you could ask. There are several possibilities:

1. If the trip is over-subscribed, and there is a waiting list, then you child's place may be switched to a child on the waiting list, and you paid back the deposit (less any admin costs).

2. If the deposit paid by the school is refundable, you may be able to get part of what you paid back. However, it's likely that there will be little that falls into this category as the school will probably have block booked, and one child not coming wouldn't make a lot of difference - things like coach hires, block booking of a hotel or other accommodation etc won't change.

3. You could (i practical) ask whether your child can still go. Obviously this would depend on the nature of the trip, whether your child would still want to go and, if the trip is in term time, whether the new school would authorise her absence. You' also need to check with the current school that they would be willing to have her come, it may change things such as insurance.

It does no harm for you to speak to the school but be prepared for them to say that they cannot refund. It's possible that you might still be liable for the rest of the cost, depending on exactly what you signed up for.

suejb2

At my childrens school it states in T&C
If a student can be found to fill the place then all monies will be refunded with the exception of the deposit.
If a student can be found but it will incur charges i.e. name change the monies will be refunded minus these charges.
If no student can be found then no monies will be refunded.

I'm sure these trips are over subscribed and there are others keen to replace. Ask is my advice.

pollypenny

The same advice as on the other thread you posted - ask the school if there's a waiting list and another child wanting the place.

maman

geordiepip1 wrote: »

I think that we've already had to make payments for a trip which isnt even in her current year group is a little unreasonable but the school said if we didnt then they wouldnt secure her a place.


Can we reasonably ask for our money back if she moves schools?

I think that it's perfectly reasonable that they ask people to show commitment in advance and 'put their money where their mouth is'. If not some parents might change their minds and want their money back causing all sorts of problems with their budget planning.


Is the if because you're basing your decision about her future schooling on getting the money back. Surely not?

geordiepip1

I understand about making a commitment but we have paid £170 out of total £240 before she has even finished her current year group. If a substantial trip is to take place in a year group then surely common sense would mean not to book it so soon at the start of a school year and thus give parents a chance to make instalments - we weren't to know a place was going to come up.


The schooling decision is not about the money, BUT we know at her new school there is also a residential trip in her year group so cannot afford to throw nearly £200 away and then be asked to pay the same at new school.

Spendless

My daughter has just missed out on a place on a school trip for next year as it was oversubscribed. My deposit has been returned to me, but if she'd got a place and then she'd decided not to go, we'd have lost the deposit.

My daughter and others are on a reserve list to see if anyone drops out. If anyone does, I'd be paying the full cost for her and any payments less deposit would be refunded to person who'd dropped out.

Marvel1

geordiepip1 wrote: »

I understand about making a commitment but we have paid £170 out of total £240 before she has even finished her current year group. If a substantial trip is to take place in a year group then surely common sense would mean not to book it so soon at the start of a school year and thus give parents a chance to make instalments - we weren't to know a place was going to come up.


The schooling decision is not about the money, BUT we know at her new school there is also a residential trip in her year group so cannot afford to throw nearly £200 away and then be asked to pay the same at new school.

You have a choice, it's not mandatory, she does't go.