School trips, can you afford them?

[lisad123]

Just had letter about dd1 school trip next year. It's 5 days outdoor activity type holiday.
The part payment is £260!!
In really don't think we can afford to send her, and really think its a huge amount of money when we can all go on family for same price of her five days with school.

Will she hate me forever if she doesn't go?

[redskyatnight]

I'm sure there will be other parents who can't/won't pay as well.
In fact for DS's residential trip, there were only enough spaces for 2/3 of the year (and they weren't all filled) so the school evidently expected that they wouldn't get full take up.

[Sparklingbrook]

I think school trips are a really tough call. They are so far ahead and the DC always want to go on them. They have been on a lot of the outward bound type trips and thoroughly enjoyed them so I do think they are worth it, they get to do stuff they would never do with is.

Ds1 is 13. He bought a letter home at the start of term. Geography field trip to Morocco in 2013. £1200!

[IndigoBelle]

She won't hate you for ever.

You can't afford it. End of.

My school's 5 day activity holiday is £200 - or £100 if you'r on FSM.

Much more than £250 is unreasonable of your school.

[noisytoys]

DD is only in reception but unless circumstances improve she won't be going on any £££ trips. The school already ask for £3-5 every few days for activities it's too much

[lisad123]

We pay a set amount each term for little trips which is IMO better than the odd £2-£20 here and there.
It's a new school for her, small school too, and likely everyone will go.
We do alot of stuff as a family. I also don't know if she would handle a week, she has SN and they really don't know her that well yet.
Most time away from me was 1 night.

[Sparklingbrook]

Sounds like you would quite like her to go if possible lisa. DS2 has decided he doesn't want to go on the one next May so he didn't apply for a place but I bet when he sees everyone going off on the coach he will think differently.

On the last one he went on two children went home early due to being homesick.

[lisad123]

I don't want her to go if I'm honest. But trying hard to put aside my own feelings.
I do think though that if its part of their education, parents shouldn't be made to pay tbh

[NettoHoHoHoSuperstar]

DD's was £160, I managed it but it was a struggle.
Apparently there's one next year, though I don't know much about it or the cost, but I should be able to get it paid for with a grant as part of DD being a Young Carer.
Young Carers also do residentials, free of charge so DD can go on those.

[Asinine]

I'm sure loads of other parents will be in the same boat, in the current financial climate. If everyone is honest and says it's too much, maybe the school will scale down the trip to make it cheaper. I would write to the school.

[Rwep]

Is this the year 6 residential?

It's a really tough call, I'm organising the one for our yr6s in June. For what they get, it's actually really good value, there's no way you could arrange for them to do even half of the activities for the same price. (Ours is £260 for 5 days activity holiday inc travel)

It is also brilliant for their confidence, team building and all those things. To see shy, scared children being supported by their peers and encouraged to try is lovely and it's great for the ones doing the encouraging too. It's not part of their education, in that it won't help their SATS results, but it is good for them IMO.

That said, it is a huge amount of money for a family to find over and above their usual budget. This year we have less than half of the year group going, last it was just over 60%. Before that it would have been almost 100% so it's clear to see that families are feeling the pinch (as if we didn't know)

So for my own DC I did (and will do) whatever I can to enable them to go, but if your DD can't, she will be far from alone. The yr6s who remain in school will do fun activities and possibly a day trip that week anyway. However, if this is the kind of school that does these trips often, rather than just at the end of yr 6, I wouldn't hesitate to say no, if it would leave the rest of the family short.

Please though, make the decision early and stick to it. It's awful for the children whose parents pay the initial deposit, tell them they can go and then have to pull out because they can't make the stage payments.

[HullyEastergully]

Our school has sports trips that cost three and a half grand.

How I laughed.

Can just picture the sports teachers, So, a week in Wales for £250? Or a two week jaunt to South America...?

[lisad123]

It's a year 5 trip, shared with year 6 as its a very small school. I think seriously we will have to say no to this year but save for next years year 6 trip.

[goinggetstough]

lisad123 I am sure your DD won't be the only one not to go. On the plus side she will have something exciting to look forward to in Year 6 and she will be a little older, the school will know her better and maybe she could practice staying away for the occasional night to help prepare her. I appreciate that this is not always easy for a DC with SN.

Hully why the laughter about the two trips... other than the weather possibly being better on the more expensive one the teachers have responsibility for the DCs that go, it is not a holiday for them on either trip.

[Vickibee]

We have just had a letter for a day trip to the Deep in Hull for £10 which is good value as coach journey and entrance, it must be subsidised by the school for this price. It is about 80 miles away.
My friends kids had a letter home one week ski trip Y8 and 9 for £1200!

[Rwep]

lisad123, that's what I'd do in your case. Doesn't hurt DC at all to know that money has to be worked for and luxuries have to be saved for You're not saying no never, you're just saying not this time.

[lisad123]

Have spoken to dd1 about this tonight and explained we just can't afford it. Her reply "well if you can't afford it, it doesn't matter that much. Don't worry about it. I won't tell people you can't afford it, i will just say you don't want me to be away that long" god I love that kid.

And I agree, school, trips aren't holidays for staff, been on a few myself and its bloodly hard work.

[HedgeHogGroup]

If you want her to go - go in and talk to them about it. If she's SN or FSM she'll be entitled to 'pupil premium'. Maybe they could use that to subsidise some of it?
We would ALWAYS try to support Parents in paying for trips - fundraising etc

[mam29]

I think most year 6trips are pricey as heard from year 6parents who say its stressful yera finacially.

last year dd had trip to castle in wales was £14 including coach was part of their topic work that was only trip.

shes since moved and going to city theatre to see pantomine week after next was shocked when got letter the pts subsidise it so cost was £5 including coach.

her residential trip could be year 5 or 6 as every other year so going to try speak to junior parent next year and ask and maybe start saving money in her savings account.

Although hoping in 3years time we be better off financially.

[lisad123]

Fsm?

[bigTillyMincePie]

lisad, have you checked with the school - many schools round here will help out with the cost of trips to some extent so that all the children who want to go can.

Just seen Hedgehogs post!

[bigTillyMincePie]

freee school meals

[lisad123]

No not entitled to FSM or on benefits apart from DLA and carers, so doubtful of help but will ask

[EcoLady]

Do ask the school what help there might be towards costs.

Also, if she's not already a member, look at joining Brownies/Guides or Cubs/Scouts. She'll get the chance to go on equally adventurous trips for far lower costs. My DD has been more than happy to say no to next summer's school camp (£265) because she has already done every single one of the activities listed, some more than once, through Brownies & Guides.

[We3bunniesOfOrientAre]

Our yr 6 residential trip is about 400-450, already dreading the cost and dd1 is only in yr3. Not on benefits, but still a big chunck of our disposible income.

[cumbrialass]

Our year 6 residential trip is £170 for 4 days in London including travel, accommodation, food, at least 3 attractions ( including a theatre trip) and a meal out. Some costs mentioned are exorbitant and schools should be doing all they can to cut back on the costs.