Cost of school trip seems a bit steep, is this normal ??

[nutcracker]

Dd1 came home with a letter saying that a trip for the 2 classes in her year has been arranged to go to Shugborough Hall in January. The cost of the trip is 11.05 which alot of people have already said seems to be alot.

We have to pay a 5 pound deposit by the end of october and the rest by 10th december.

It says that it's a voluntary contribution and i can well see some parents paying the 5 pound deposit and then not anything else. If they don't get enough then the trip gets cancelled.

I have just looked on the website for Shugborough Hall and the entrance fee is 6 pounds for adults and 4 pounds concessions. It didn't actually have a seprate price for kids.

I know they have to pay for coach too, but there will be at least 54 kids going so the total cost is 596.70 . Seems a hell of a lot for a trip to a hall.

[mothernature]

Obviously they are covering the cost of helpers who don't always pay, and those who don't volunteer the rest of the money's... but sounds about right....when in secondary they pay anything from £20-00 up..

[Hulababy]

It will include a small amount for insurance as well, and to cover any teaching staff's costs - normally only a small number can go in free, but law says more need to accompany the children.

The volnutary bit again is a legal thing. They can't charge legally for educational trips, but can ak for voluntary contributions. In most cases this isn't really voluntary at all, unless they are specific reasons why someone can't pay. Many schools have some form of "hardship" fund to cover such cases. If enough don't pay (and that's normally almost everyone has to to cover costs) the trip is cancelled.

Did the school not give a breakdown of the cost to say what it is for? We have to on our trips at school I work at. If not, ask the school for them.

[Hulababy]

Sorry for very waffly answer!

[littlemissbossy]

Must agree with you Nutty and I don't understand why some school trips are so pricey. Maybe Hulababy or another teacher may be able to explain. I've previously put it down to the combination of hiring a coach all day plus the insurance costs which are bound to be high.
If it makes you feel any better, my dss is going to France in October for 6 nights on a coach/ferry, staying in a 2 star/budget hotel in northern france and the cost is £460 each. Times this by the 30 kids that are going this makes the total cost £13,800!!!

[littlemissbossy]

ooops posts crossed, knew Hulababy would have the right answer

[nutcracker]

Wasn't as waffley as my post Hula

I think alot of us are just surprised because before now trips have never been anymore than about 7 pounds really.

A couple of moms have said they would rather take them themselves if they have got to pay that much.

I have told dd she can go (as always).

I think they could of asked for the remander of the money to be paid after xmas too, as i for one know i will be broke.

I might pay it all in one go now if they'll let me. At least i know it's out the way then.

[Hulababy]

Have to say that I have not yet been involved in any school trip that has made a profit at all, if that helps. Most are just met by the cost of the trip - and hardship fund if necessary.

But if a trip is being run at your school just ask for a breakdown of the costs involved.

[Hulababy]

Agree, timing is a pain - just before Christmas. Wonder if the organisations involved need the money by then though - might explain it.

[nutcracker]

Thanks Hula. So long as dd enjoys it then i don't mind too much

[SoftFroggie]

It possibly includes some extra for tours / demonstrations / educational activities that you wouldn't get on a normal family visit - there are some lovely sounding specific tours and activities on their website. Given that it's "and 5p" they've clearly got a precise calculation - why not ask for a breakdown and details on what's included.

[helenmc]

Coaches are very expensive - something like £6 per person for a 55 seater. I suppose with 54 kids plus helpers they are going to need a big caoch.