GCSE geography field trips

[marcus242628]

Are they going ahead in the Autumn in most schools for current year 10s who will be year 11 in Sept?

[HaloeVera]

Wondering this too. Well we missed one this summer. Was some talk of doing it in October, but I am doubtful.

[FourCandelabras]

Currently most schools and geography departments don’t know either! It all depends on whether it is permissible by the autumn to have a big group of kids travelling together and sleeping in shared bedrooms / dorms with all shared facilities, for a few days and nights. And whether parents and insurers are comfortable with the situation. So hard to know what things will look like in September...

[seenbeensbean]

We had one due in October which was cancelled several weeks ago.

[marcus242628]

I have just this month been forced by school to pay £500 for October one. They said I have to pay even if DD doesnt attend and then can claim on insurance if her shielding letter continues until then. interesting that others are cancelled for Oct. I presumed the GCSE would have to be written to assume that trips have not gone ahead as so many wont be able to.

[ReallyOh]

I organise GCSE and A Level Geography trips for our school. We just don't know what will happen yet, we await further guidance from the Government and Exam Boards. Meanwhile we have to make tentative plans, but don't want to commit the school to paying out desposits that we won't get back.

[lanthanum]

GCSE geography does not require £500 field trips. They do have to do at least two bits of fieldwork, but they shouldn't require anything residential.

If your child's school has chosen to base their coursework on a residential, and your child may not be able to go on health grounds, you probably need to ask what arrangements will be made for her to do alternative locally-based coursework.

State schools are not allowed to insist on a financial contribution for something that is a compulsory part of the curriculum. They can ask, but they can't exclude someone who doesn't contribute.

[marcus242628]

That may be true if I had not already signed up but I had signed up and paid deposit well before any sign of covid. The small print does state that I have to pay in full even if she doesnt go unless i have medical confirmation. They will arrange local coursework.

[seenbeensbean]

@lanthanum

GCSE geography does not require £500 field trips. They do have to do at least two bits of fieldwork, but they shouldn't require anything residential.

If your child's school has chosen to base their coursework on a residential, and your child may not be able to go on health grounds, you probably need to ask what arrangements will be made for her to do alternative locally-based coursework.

State schools are not allowed to insist on a financial contribution for something that is a compulsory part of the curriculum. They can ask, but they can't exclude someone who doesn't contribute.

I agree, our year 10s were going to do a residential but it was