Day Trips

[OldPoyntz]

Hi All,

Does anyone know if a it's compulsory for schools to offer a day trip to the pupils? My DD is in year 1 and had no trip this year. They may get a walk over the local park 5 mins walk away.

DS is in year 6 and just completed SATS. Usually they go to Thorpe Park for their day trip but apparently this year the local council isn't "encouraging" trips to theme parks and the school haven't planned any alternative.

I'm just a bit miffed as school trips are one of the things the kids love about school.

[PatriciaHolm]

No, nothing compulsory about it at all, for any year group.

[admission]

Agree that there is nothing which says there must be school trips.

We have just stopped a post KS2 test trip to a theme park because quite frankly the kids were knackered as were the staff, immediately after the SATs. What we have done is organise a Friday afternoon party with games but also some educational content which proved to be a big hit with the pupils whilst still being a wind down from SATs week. What they do not know yet is that there is also a couple of other local visits arranged, which I suspect they will enjoy.

[WhenTheDragonsCame]

Mine have a few educational trips a year but nothing like a theme park. More like a farm and circus. I think one of the years used to go to france for the day but that has stopped since they expanded.

[Arkwright]

Ours only do educational trips and residentials in Y5 and Y6.

[caitlinohara]

I think it is down to the teacher. At ds1's school in some classes he has had 4 or 5, then in Year 3 they only did one right at the end of the year - job share as well so clearly neither teacher could be arsed wanted to.

[mrz]

Teaching union advice is not to lead school trips.

[clam]

I didn't know that, mrz.

It's certainly not compulsory, but we do one in every year group as standard, with some years slipping in an extra one if relevant (and cheap).

[Myothercarisalsoshit]

I do run trips and our school (inner city) is committed to offering as much curriculum enrichment as we can. We have a curriculum trip per term and the whole school goes to the panto every year. There is a money issue though. Not all parents are keen on the parental contributions. And it's never the ones who are struggling that refuse to pay.

[bojorojo]

At the school where I am a governor I am delighted that all teachers lead trips. From y3-6 there are several trips a year for each year group and a residential one after Sats for y6. Lots of sports matches with against other schools too and a regional sports day. It is great that the teachers do this and feel they are able to give their time and expertise to the children. Lots of parent helpers (plus me sometimes) make these a great addition to the school and really benefit the children. Some schools may offer trips in y1 and 2 but not all because the children are very young.

Either we have a non unionised staff (I doubt it) or they ignore the advice because the school is well run and teachers are well supported by SLT.

[mrz]

Probably blissfully unaware of the advice and the circumstances which led to it.

[PurpleAlerts]

Our primary has at least one school trip a term from year 1 up (reception and nursery have one in summer term) and lots of visitor type days too where the kids dress up and someone comes in and gives them workshops on various topics (Romans, Vikings, Tudors etc.).

Year 6 had a cinema trip last Friday after SATS finished and they have a school residential next half term. Those that don't go on the residential trip have a fun week of activities including trips into London (we are close), circus skills, a trip to a local theme park and cookery activities.

Having said that- there is no compulsion to do these and I know many schools that don't do trips. Shame because I have fond memories of school trips I went on as a primary school pupil.

[Dontlikethedailyfail21]

I am surprised schools run trips given the amount of grumbling parents seem to do about the trips. You only have to look on mumsnet/netmums. Schools are in a no win situation.

[bojorojo]

As we have excellent teachers, mrz, I doubt they are unaware of advice. However the school makes huge efforts to ensure safety and although I do not know what circumstances led to the advice you mention, I am aware that my own LA has had two schools where children have been killed on school trips - one was multiple deaths where children fell down a cliff face. The teachers were rightly criticised for not supervising the children and allowing play in a potentially dangerous environment. We are not stupid or reckless. We are professional and caring. The trips are well organised and I am delighted the teachers continue to do them because the children benefit a great deal.

[mrz]

I know many excellent teachers who were surprised to discover the advice and the background leading to it being issued

[teacher54321]

Our school runs a trip per year group per term from nursery upwards, as well as music, drama and sports fixtures! It's great

[itshappenedagain]

Not compulsory, but most schools do offer at least one per year.
Our school do I class trip per half term. All linked to their syllabus so they are varied. Dd went on one two weeks ago ad DS is going on one today. They also have afterschool activities every night and children can choose what they want to attend. State school absolutely brilliant.

[DubiousCredentials]

Our school have at least one per term. Gets expensive tbh.

[mrz]

By definition an accident isn't something you can plan for no matter how professional, organised and intelligent you happen to be.

[melonribena]

I've planned many trips for ks1 children, residentials and day trips. They are hard work to organise and run but also very rewarding.

Schools are usually very aware of asking parents to contribute a lot so try and keep costs low.

Most teachers I know are aware of the advice not to run them but choose to do so themselves. There is no pressure from slt.

I do take offence at the poster suggesting trips weren't organised due to teacher not being 'arsed'.