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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Long-haul primary school trip

18 replies

pigsinmud · 08/09/2009 14:52

Going to be a bit vague as don't want to give away too many details to identify myself.

Basically school are going to take a very small group of yr5s to a country rather far away .... 12 hour flight! They have links with a primary school.

Ds2 is very very keen. It would be an amazing experience and he doesn't get homesick, however he has never been on a plane.

We are going to put his name forward - don't know how they select yet. I was surprised by the negative reactions from some parents - they must think I'm a crap parent for wanting him to go. Would you let your child go?

i would never have let ds1 go, as he gets very homesick, and I know I wouldn't have wanted to go at that age, but ds2 wants to.

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ruddynorah · 08/09/2009 14:58

yes i would, assuming dd wanted to go and assuming there would be loads of info about the trip ie parent teacher meetings to discuss the plans. not sure how they'll cope with that long a flight, but i expect the accompanying teachers will have thought about that!

Hulababy · 08/09/2009 15:14

If he wants to go and is so keen, and you think he will cope, then go for it. Yes he is young, but the teachers will take good care of him.

Butkin · 08/09/2009 17:59

We'd let DD go if she wanted to. My biggest regret at school was cancelling a skiing trip I'd been accepted for. Can't remember why (perhaps I bottled out) but huge regret both socially (mixing with my peers) and because I'd have learned to ski 10 years earlier than I did.

I expect some of the negativity shown by some parents is actually a disguise for not wanting to pay for the trip - I expect it is expensive.

marialuisa · 08/09/2009 18:07

Yes, we'd definitely let DD go.

Toffeepopple · 08/09/2009 18:09

My sister and I went on a 12 hour away school trip when she was ten (just) and I was 13. Some on the trip were nine. It was great, though some kids did get homesick.

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 08/09/2009 18:11

If dd wanted to go on such a trip and I thought it was going to be well-managed, I'd certainly let her go.

LadyMuck · 08/09/2009 18:12

I think that I would certainly prefer my dcs first flight to not be a 12 hour flight without a parent. Though I'm quite happy for someone else to look after them on a 12 hour flight! But I guess my dcs fly shorthaul fairly regularly and are used to security checks, taking off, landing etc. If he does go i would find an excuse to take a short hop by plane somewhere beforehand.

The dcs primary schools take the children on overseas trips from Yr4. Often some parents choose to holiday in the same location at the same time. But does rather depend on the destination!

foofi · 08/09/2009 18:15

I would.

EldonAve · 08/09/2009 18:20

I wouldn't be keen
Surely a more local trip for the whole year would be better?

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 08/09/2009 18:25

But isn't the point here that the school with which this school has links isn't local? The trip, presumably, is intended to cement the relationship. If it's well run - and if the children aren't homesick - it could be a fantastic experience.

pigsinmud · 08/09/2009 18:48

They do do a local trip for a few nights for the whole year. This is the first time they have run this trip. It is with another school - both headteachers going and a teacher from secondary school.

The trip is to China - I've coming out the closet! Taking 5 children from each school.

LadyMuck - I am worried about the flight. If he was selected that would be a good idea to take a short flight somewhere. He's never been out the country!!

They have secured a grant so price is reasonable considering where they're going - £350.

OP posts:

Hassled · 08/09/2009 18:54

I think it would be an amazing experience that he would never forget. I would worry and fret and genuinely be as neurotic as hell about it, but I would let my DC go in your position.

RortyDogOfTheRemove · 08/09/2009 18:55

No - my nerves couldn't take it!

PDR · 08/09/2009 22:51

I would considor it a very educational experienced and as long as you have faith in the teacher's going then go for it.

What a positive thing for a school to do! My son is only young but I would definately pro things like this.

I travelled extensively from around 8 onwards (including China) with parents, school and friends & their parents and it has made me who I am today.

£350 is also a bargain!

PDR · 08/09/2009 22:52

Sorry for awful spelling and grammar!

pigsinmud · 09/09/2009 14:14

Thanks for your opinions. You have all been so positive. I had heard some people saying they couldn't believe some parents would let their child go so far away, that i began to think I was wrong for wanting him to go. Obviously if he was indifferent to it I would not want him to go. We'll find out more details soon and keep our fingers crossed for ds2.

I think it would be the most amazing experience. Headteacher is lovely and would be great as a mother substitute for the time he's away!

OP posts:

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/09/2009 14:18

I have a year 5 child and I would definitely let her do it if she wanted to and I could afford it. I think it would be a great opportunity to do something that will be a special memory for ever.

SomeGuy · 09/09/2009 14:19

I'd let my son do this, and he's only 7. But he is quite easy going and likes Asia, though has never been to China.

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