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AIBU?

To be annoyed that school trip is cancelled and likely no refund

170 replies

CancelledLondonTrip · 25/05/2017 17:10

First off my thoughts are with the victims and their families in Manchester. It was a terrible unpredictable attack on innocent children.

In light of this attack, our school is cancelling their year 6 trip to London.

I would rather the trip goes ahead, as the actual risk to our children in London from an terrorist attack is tiny. Especially with the heightened security.

The school have also said as everything has already been paid for it is unlikely we will get a refund on the £150 (three day trip) cost, as it has already been spent on train tickets, hostels, museum tickets and a show. All non refundable.

Aibu to expect the school to either run the trip OR refund 100% of the trip money OR even give the parents who still want to go the tickets and let us use the teachers tickets and we could take our children down ourselves ?

For the school to cancel the trip and for all the parents to lose all the money doesn't seem to be a fair solution.

OP posts:
DearMrDilkington · 25/05/2017 17:13

£150 for 3 days in london is bloody cheap.

NorthumbrianGirl · 25/05/2017 17:14

That is very unfair! What reason has been given for cancelling the trip?

donajimena · 25/05/2017 17:14

It doesn't seem fair at all. My son is going to Paris for three days. I'm not very happy about it but after what happened in manchester and London I've realised we have got to get on with things.
Where do you draw the line? Thorpe Park? Sainsburys?

specialsubject · 25/05/2017 17:14

Indeed not. They do realise the distance between London and Manchester? They do realise that security has been upped? They do realise that millions of people live in London, including quite a lot of kids?

This is nuts.

PurpleDaisies · 25/05/2017 17:14

Our school sent a trip to London today.

When is it due to go?

DearMrDilkington · 25/05/2017 17:14

Where were they meant to be staying?

I think Yabu about the refund though, isn't much the school can do about it. The money has gone, they can't get it back so no refund.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 25/05/2017 17:14

It's a risk they aren't willing to take, they are the ones responsible should something happen.

TBH, the money would be the last thing on my mind when it comes to the safety of the children.

donajimena · 25/05/2017 17:15

What's your point Dilko?

Catminion · 25/05/2017 17:15

Perhaps they were forced to by some parents insisting but they should have given you the choice. Bloody complain!

PurpleDaisies · 25/05/2017 17:15

It's a risk they aren't willing to take, they are the ones responsible should something happen.

No trips would ever go ahead if that was the attitude schools took. There's no advice to stop trips to London. The trip should go ahead.

BloodWorries · 25/05/2017 17:16

I think possibly asking for the tickets and taking the kids yourself (with other parents) would be a great idea, but I'm not sure if a trip organised by a school can do that, bloody health and safety etc.
Have you asked the other parents what they think? Maybe they are all glad the trip is cancelled and aren't too worried about losing £150 or maybe they too would like the chance to attend themselves in place of other children and staff.

sunshinesupermum · 25/05/2017 17:17

That is so unfair of the school! I live in both Lodnon (my home) and Paris (my partner's) and people including children are fine going about usual activities.

We are all more likely to be run over than killed by a terrorist.

CancelledLondonTrip · 25/05/2017 17:17

I feel the school should run their trip as agrred or use school funds to refund the parents.

Originally there were 40 kids going and 10 kids were withdrawn last week for no logical reason other than their parents had changed their minds.

School reason is the Manchester attack and the change in risk level to critical.

OP posts:
OlennasWimple · 25/05/2017 17:17

No, YANBU

Floralnomad · 25/05/2017 17:18

My ds is a teacher and he took a school trip into London yesterday , I'd be pretty furious if they cancelled without even taking the parents opinions into consideration and I would want my money back .

witchofzog · 25/05/2017 17:18

Donajmena has it right. Where do you draw the line? Manchester was absolutely terrible. But statistically the chances of being involved in an attack are very low. The children would be in more danger during the actual journey itself. To be told tough. No refund and no other option is pretty crap. Yanbu.

CondensedMilkSarnies · 25/05/2017 17:19

Should they have insurance for the cancellation of a trip ? Seems unfair for everyone to lose that money, which I know pales into insignificance compared to what some families are going through at the moment, but I would want a refund.

soapboxqueen · 25/05/2017 17:19

I would suspect they've had pressure from other parents or enough children pulling out to make things difficult staff wise. Or maybe the staff themselves have said they don't want to go now. They can't force them.

Talk to the school and ask them about any compromises etc Not sure you'll get far but it can't hurt.

Fragglez · 25/05/2017 17:19

Do you have travel insurance that would cover it? I have travel insurance with my bank account.

uglyflowers · 25/05/2017 17:20

Well the threat of a terror related incident is at the highest possible. I don't think you can blame the teachers. It's one thing when it's your own kids, another when it isn't. The unions don't even recommend teachers taking kids out on trips.

Wolfiefan · 25/05/2017 17:20

Maybe lots of parents have pulled their kids out of the trip? Maybe the local LEA has said they don't recommend they go? Maybe the staff have done an evaluation and have decided their particular plans aren't safe?
You can't force them to run a trip they don't feel is safe.
You can't force businesses to refund cancelled tickets.
You can't expect them to let you take your kids instead. On the coach or train? Where would the adults stay?
It's a shame but I can't see a way round it.
The loss of the lives in Manchester has shocked so many. Particularly as it seemed to target young people.

LauraMoon · 25/05/2017 17:20

YANBU.

Ds1's trip to Belgium a few days after the Paris attacks had to be cancelled. They refunded everybody.

Tbf I think it was covered under their insurance as there was an official government warning not to travel, but even so.

PurpleDaisies · 25/05/2017 17:21

ugly what should people stop doing though? Yes, the terror threat is critical but there have been no recommendations to change plans to visit cities.

CancelledLondonTrip · 25/05/2017 17:21

I am sad as I will not be able to afford to take my child to London (for various reasons) on my own.

Also I have children lower on the school and as this child is not going on a year 6 trip, I will not be sending the younger ones.

No way, would I save all year for the same thing to happen.

OP posts:
QuestaVecchiaCasa · 25/05/2017 17:22

If parents want to stop their child going then that's their choice and they should take the financial hit.

The trip should go ahead though and if its cancelled the parents that didn't voluntarily cancel should get a refund.

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