No class trip

[MildlyMiserable]

AIBU to have emailed the school and asked why not?
I approached the teacher today to ask when/where to be told there was no class trip and she doesn't know why.
I feel conned, we have bake sales for each class every half term and were told these go toward class outings. The last sale was 2 Fridays ago, I supplied and my parents bought - as we always do. The newsletter was very specific that proceeds would go towards the class trip.
I have emailed asking the office if they could enlighten me, why there is no trip and if the trip/money raised will be carried over to next year.
AIBU to thnk if I put the effort in when asked, why can't they?
Sorry to write and run, am cross and late for swimming - argh!

[Justforlaughs]

No, YANBU to ask where the money that YOU have raised for a trip has gone. There may be a million reasons why for some reason it isn't practical to have one, but if parents have put the effort in to fund it then they are due an explanation.

[Caitycat]

I was going to say yabu based on the title as I don't think these things are essential but agree that if you have raised funds you are entitled to know where they are going. Let us know!

[MildlyMiserable]

Thanks, I was voicing my annoyance to another Mum, she sad she'd wondered but couldn't be bothered to ask, but if I was going to the office she would come with me for support.
Don't know which I'm more annoyed at, the lack of a trip, the apathy of others or that I will be labelled as the troublesome Mum. argh again! Really late for swimming now.

[NicknameIncomplete]

If you have raised funds for a specific reason then i think you have every right to ask where the money has gone because in another context it could be classed as fraud.

[Shellywelly1973]

There have never been annual trips at my dc school. Its shame as my older dc have great memories of their school trips.

Yanbu. If you were led to believe you were raising money for a trip then what alternative are the school offering?

[Sirzy]

Perhaps they didn't make enough to cover a trip yet.

Did they specifically say it was for a class trip this year?

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

That doesn't sound right. Why not email and say your cousin works for the local rag, she though it was lovely when you told her about fund-raising all year for a school trip, now they want to do a piece on it and send a photographer to see the pupils having fun; see if that gets a response.

[exoticfruits]

I was going to say that they had been reading MN and realised lots of parents hate being asked for money- but then you were raising it. I would bet there simply isn't enough yet.

[MildlyMiserable]

The class has had 2 trips so far this school year, the first to the natural history museum - no costs - free museum entry and tube. The second was to a local cinema that offer subsided school visits, cost to us a couple of pounds.
So far this year we have had 5 sales, we were led to believe the monies raised were for trips. Children are actively encouraged to sell to raise funds for their individual classes, more cakes better trips kind of thing.
The money is not supposed to go into a school pot, we already raise funds in other ways for this, sponsored walk, school disco, non-uninformed day etc.
Donkeys I would love to do the local rag thing but unfortunately the school know none f my cousins are nearby.
I'm looking forward to their response to my email.

[cricketballs]

the cost of coaches are a major factor; think £300+

[MildlyMiserable]

There is a huge park 15 mins walk away, the venue for the sponsored walk, they could take them there and buy them an ice-cream. We must have raised £250 at least, as the cinema was paid for by individuals the pot should be full, even if they went to the cinema it would cover the cost of the children, teachers and helpers.
The real reason I think it is unfair is the other years have days out booked.

[Dorange]

Sorry to hijack but can anyone enlighten me about the class trip at my Dd's school?

Y1 and Y2 went together from London to Brighton at £10/child.
We also were asked to supply cakes to raise money for the trip...

They went by public transport (isn't free for kids? I know the buses, tube and trains in London are, but don't know about the train to Brighton) and we provided packed lunch (a part from those on FSM).

Some parents went as volunteer, and I don't have a clue if the expenses were covered.

Anyone have any opinion?
I want to ask why they didn't go by couch but I don't want to be 'that' parent...

[Sirzy]

Where I live only under 5s are free on public transport.
I would hope parent and teacher expenses were covered if they were going to help out.

[Dorange]

My daughter is 6 and I take her everywhere inside London by public transport for free. But let me check on google if kids pay to go to Brighton

[BrianButterfield]

Coaches are so expensive now, not necessarily cheaper than a train at all, and helpers do get paid for. It's not a fun day out!

[Dorange]

yep, children over 5 do pay.
and I hope the parents expenses were covered too, I am sure it was.

[Eyesunderarock]

Ask about the trip, but they might have organised a visitor to come into the school instead. Theatre workshop, expert on dinosaurs, that sort of thing.
Children aren't free on the Brighton to London trains, so I suppose the reverse is true as well.
You deserve an explanation.

[BarbarianMum]

They may be saving the money for an educational trip - I'd be pretty unimpressed if my child's trip was a walk to the park and an ice cream. Maybe they haven't raised enough yet?

By all means ask, though.

[juniper9]

For our last school trip, the coach cost £900 for 60 children. We've only been on one trip this year as the Head is reluctant to let us go elsewhere.

I'd love to go somewhere again, but I don't make the decisions. The kids moan at me, of course, but nada I can do.

[MidniteScribbler]

I want to ask why they didn't go by couch but I don't want to be 'that' parent...

Going by public transport can be part of the learning experience too. The journey can be incorporated in part of the curriculum (buying tickets, or reading timetables, etc, or even just learning how to behave on public transport). It's better for the environment. It also tends to be less boring. 50 sweaty bored kids on a coach for two hours or moving around, doing something different, something to keep their attention.

[trinity0097]

Non London children do not get free travel in London.

[CaptainSweatPants]

We have to pay for all your trips

[englishteacher78]

It is also now the case that trips are meant to cover the cost of teacher cover (probably not as big an issue at primary).
We now go on far fewer theatre trips to London than we used to as the travel costs just make it not as viable. It more than doubles the cost of the trip. We try and go to things at the local theatre - we can walk the students there. And they give us free accompanying teacher tickets.