Educational school trip that wasn't! FIRST POST UPDATED

poet123

I would be livid too. I would ask around other parents and get an "overview" of what happened and then take it from there. On a trip such as this they should not have been given the choice......I mean honestly,given the choice what would most of us have done at 15/16! it surprises me that any of them went to the museum!!

The teacher in charge was irresponsible and needs to be accountable (imagine the scenarios that could have happened).

I am sure that when the story gets around you will have some support from other parents,but even if you don't I would still complain,when you are sure of the facts.

As it wasnt an educational trip due to the teachers laxity, perhaps she would like to refund out of her own pocket.?

amandada

Can you imagine the reaction you'd get from the school if you had taken your DD out of school for a day's shopping in London!!!

You definitely need to know what's happened

bestpud

Thanks for the new replies - everyone seems united on this one!

I have looked at the letter again and, along with stating it is an important part of the course, it closes by saying 'we hope you will allow your child to benefit from this important visit' (or words to that effect - it states which element of the course it enhances too). In other words, there is no doubt it was intended to be an educational visit and an important one at that.

I am unable to contact other parents as dd wasn't with her usual bunch of friends (some did not go and some don't do art anyway). I do know of the girls she was with but I don't know where they live, or even their surnames.

Needless to say, dd feels it would be wrong to get the teacher into trouble, because 'it was kind of her' to let them do that!!!

DD has only mentioned one teacher and I know it is not the one who was meant to be going. She is actually the second change of teacher - she came home last week and said it was a different teacher, and then said a couple of days ago that it had changed again. She is an art teacher but I'm wondering if she was coerced into it and really couldn't be bothered. She is a bit way out and acts more like a friend than teacher. Well, that has been my impression from parents' evenings.

Re the safety element: I would not have stopped dd going on a shopping trip as I think she is old enough, but we had no chance to speak with her about the potential dangers and neither did the school, I assume. One would hope they would at the very least be given a pep talk and some advice before being let loose on London!

DD said they had their picture drawn by a street artist who initially said it was free. Then afterwards said he was asking for donations, so they all clubbed together to give him some money. It is that kind of thing that I would like to have brought up with her as we just don't get that in our rural area!

Like I said though, she is very happy with the day and not at all keen on me making a fuss!

Not that that will stop me contacting the school, but I need to let her know exactly why I am doing it!

bestpud

amandada wrote: »

Can you imagine the reaction you'd get from the school if you had taken your DD out of school for a day's shopping in London!!!

You definitely need to know what's happened

They won't authorise leave in years 10 and 11. I took them away for the weekend when ds was in year 10 and he had to take the Monday as unauthorised.

We were sent a letter stating clearly we would be contacted by an attendance officer if he was absent more than 14 days (even though I was very clear about it being one day only).

Nothing came of it as they have very near 100% attendance anyway. Well, dd has had three days off sick during the five years she has been there. They did say they would mark it as 'applied for' though.

You are right though, it's a blimming cheek considering how strict they are about absences.

Psykicpup

If it had said educational trip to art gallery but we expect some free time for 'sightseeing', it would a totally different thing in my eyes. I would be livid. I was cross when the weekend in New York(DD15) that was supposed to have built in Shopping/sightseeing time actually was almost totally taken up by educational trips but could hardly moan at that but the other way round!

shelley_crow

I wonder how long the teacher in question has been teaching for: is it a case of ignorance or sheer stupidity? either way it is completely unacceptable. The teacher should be made to provide an explanation and an apology at the very least. I'm glad your daughter is ok x

poet123

I suspect you will have to tread carefully here(and I expect to be flamed for this!!) as if the teacher is involved has influence over your daughters coursework etc, it may well come back to haunt you.

Not that this should or would happen but human nature being what it is, it is best to be prepared!! Similarly your daughter may get some flack from friends if you complain.

I would probably not discuss it further now with your DD, but make contact with the school and ask for an outline of what happened on the trip..you could say that you have seen no evidence of sketches etc and wondered if your DD had not done something she should have. At this point in the conversation the teacher will have to tell you why that is the case,which will open up further dialogue. You can then judge how far to take the complaint,if you decide to take it further I would ask for assurances that if you are unhappy with any future marking, your DD's work can be independently assessed. That should forewarn the teacher and nip in the bud any retaliation.

bestpud

Ok, I have just quizzed dd some more.

There were between 20-30 pupils and four staff: two art teachers and two TAs whom dd didn't know until Thursday.

Apparently, the trip would have been as described if the original teacher had accompanied them. However, dd says they were promised some free shopping time form the start. In fact, that's why some of them went, she say!

The letter makes no mention of shopping time and as we are 3-4 hours away from London (they left at 8am and were due back at 7.30pm), it didn't occur to me they would have much time alone.

They decided to let them go shopping instead as 'compensation for a 5 hour journey' (driver got lost in London it seems!)

Essentially, they ran out if time and so missed out the gallery, which makes it even worse imo!!!

She says she 'thinks' a couple of the staff went around the streets, but they were only given one mobile phone number. Presumably, if in trouble, they'd contact the phone holder, who would then contact the teacher closest to the problem?

The problem with that is the kids may not have known their exact location!

BTW, neither teacher is new to the profession, or school.

louise540056

I am a secondary school teacher and I'm sorry but this is awful!! This needs raising with the school before this teacher is allowed to take any more pupils on trips! It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened in the middle of London!!

bestpud

poet123 wrote: »

I suspect you will have to tread carefully here(and I expect to be flamed for this!!) as if the teacher is involved has influence over your daughters coursework etc, it may well come back to haunt you.

Not that this should or would happen but human nature being what it is, it is best to be prepared!! Similarly your daughter may get some flack from friends if you complain.

I would probably not discuss it further now with your DD, but make contact with the school and ask for an outline of what happened on the trip..you could say that you have seen no evidence of sketches etc and wondered if your DD had not done something she should have. At this point in the conversation the teacher will have to tell you why that is the case,which will open up further dialogue. You can then judge how far to take the complaint,if you decide to take it further I would ask for assurances that if you are unhappy with any future marking, your DD's work can be independently assessed. That should forewarn the teacher and nip in the bud any retaliation.

I'm glad you have said that poet, as it has featured heavily in my thoughts about this, and what to do about it. I wondered if I was being daft though for even thinking it a possibility!

That said though, dd has a conditional college place and only needs one more GCSE, and in any subject. Takes the heat off a bit!