Does anyone else think that this is stupid?

patchwork_cat

Hi
My daughter in Y5 has had very few school trips. School have suddenly organised one to take them to a reservoir on 5 dec. that is about 10 miles away and inf act is somewhere that we have taken our dog for sunday walks. We have not been informed of any provision should the weather be (I want to put unseasonable!) truly decemberish. There is only facilities available to use the classroom for lunch - this gleaned from my daughter not in the letter as far as I aware the rest of the time will be outside.

This smacks of an ill thought out last minute trip at a totally wrong of time of year and they are charing £7 for the privilege - no discount as far as i am aware because it is nearly christmas.

Does anyone else think that this is seriously stupid? Or is it just me?

TAG

I assume that the trip is in someway connected to what the children are learning at school?

As far as the weather goes I would have thought that it is just common sense to make sure they are dressed appropriatley.

Maybe you'll get a further letter with more details in a week or so.

Sorry but I don't think it's ill thought out. The fresh air will do the kids good. And a bit of a nip in the air or rain won't kill them either.

As for the money the coach/bus does have to be paid for somehow.
If it were my child I'd be happy for them to go. If you feel that strongly about it then just don't let her go on the trip.

Strapped

The £7 is a bit steep, IMO, but the trip itself doesn't sound out of order. I'd ask if you are concerned about weather conditions and your child's safety what H&S assessments they have made for the trip.

patchwork_cat

TAG we live in a rather bleak area (which you didn't ask) and it is quite possible that it will be sleeting/ snowing in december. Ofcourse I will wrap her up warmly - I am not an idiot. However no amount of wrapping could be enough for 6 hours in sleet with a wind whistling.

I am aware that I could just not let my dd go, that wasn't what I was asking.There will be no further letters as this is it - asked whether going and pay up. That really is my point - there will no further explanation. I have asked what provision they have made should the weather be foul.

The reason I feel this is last minute and ill thought through is that it is not on this term's calendar of events and after looking on this reservoir's website most of the activities close at the end of September.

Seriously if you have not been on the moors you cannot know just how bleak it can get.

Sagaris

I know what you mean - years ago when my 2 were still at school, I used to go to assist on all the school trips. One of them was for the 6 junior classes to go birdwatching at the local estuary over 2 days, 3 classes per day.
Unfortunately this was in November! The first day was bitterly cold, squally showers and sleet! :eek: The second day was cancelled due to 'inclement weather conditions'.
I've been hill walking and hiking over the years, but I have to say this was the coldest I've ever been - let alone the children!
So yes, I think you are right to be concerned - could you ask anyone for more information? Particularly as Strapped suggested - think I'd be tempted to ask about any risk assessments that have been done to cover the trip.

Carmina_Piranha_3

me too, my asthma was too bad for trips in the cold. i have fond memories of assemblies where i was taken out because the walk to school made my wheezing too loud. a warm classroom, a cup of hot choc and teacher getting out board games to paly with me. they wouldn't get that nowadays though, they get put in with another class. probably year 4 but maybe not. ours get put wherever there is a space, i helped out in year 3 and we often got children of all ages who weren't on the trips purely because our class was a small-ish one with room to squeeze a couple of extra bodies in.

jacksons_mum

i live in the pennines and i cant be out there for more than half an hour to walk the dog, i wouldnt feel good about my child being out there all day - you cant really learn much when all you can think about is how cold it is!
i would keep her off school then take her at the weekend for a quick lesson on reservoirs.

patchwork_cat

She really wants to go Ts_aly otherwise yes that would be my suggestion . I have written a note asking for more details. This is only her second ever tip offered in her 6 years at school and last year she threw up the night before so couldn't go on the trip.
I am just cross that they could have done this at 6 other months of the year that are more appropriate.
jackson's mum so do we!

Strapped

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Seriously if you have not been on the moors you cannot know just how bleak it can get.

Funny, I live on Dartmoor.


I know most of your reply was not really aimed at me, but you did ASK whether it was just you, and two people happened to disagree with you. I notice you only thanked the people who agreed with you. Perhaps next time you should just put "I want to have a good moan and for everyone to tell me that I'm right; I'm not really actually interested in hearing anyone else's views". Then we can all not waste our time. :rolleyes:

patchwork_cat

Strapped why are you taking offence, no my post was not aimed at you . Your first post was fine and although i disagree as is obvious from my first post I did ask for opinions and you gave yours- fair enough. The post that made me narked was TAG as I think that various comments in it like

it is just common sense to make sure they are dressed appropriatley.

were offensive and not called for as naturally I will dress my child appropriately also

And a bit of a nip in the air or rain won't kill them either.

in december on the moors above Halifax is rather an understatemnt as I am sure will know living in Dartmoor.

My feeling is that for an hour or so , provided it is not sleeting, snowing or bucketing it down - then fine. But for 6 hours! This from a school that calls them in at playtime if it is raining. I just feel that they have picked one of the worst times to go.

You have surely all seen the pictures of the place were Lesley Moleseed was found well that is the sort of area we are talking.

I did want to know if people thought I was overreacting, but the more I think about it and hear locals views then no I am not.

Strapped there really is no need to react like that.If we lived on the clement Cornish Riviera then it would be a completely different kettle of fish - which is the point I was making in my second post .

Savvy_Sue

Of course it is possible that they will cancel the trip anyway if the weather is not good enough.

I presume you've checked they'll be leaving at the start of the day and back at 3? Rather than just nipping out for an hour or two, as it were ...