Child unwell on school trip

I think you need to reread the thread, as it’s kind of about the child contacting the teacher for help on the one emergency contact number he was given. And the teacher refused to help. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s the school for failing one of their pupils to the point he’s had to phone a relative out of the country as he didn’t know what else to do.

I'm a teacher who has led many trips abroad. In this situation, I would have expected your son to ring to school trip mobile which the trip leader or a member of staff would have on them. Once I was aware of the situation, a member of staff would make their way to him and look after him. I would not have stayed in the queue for the ride!
As trip leader, I would be annoyed with his friend's if they abandoned him. We drum it into our kids that they are not to be in groups of less than three at all times. One friend should have stayed with him, while the other should have made their way back to the designated meeting point which should be staffed at all times for such an emergency.
Once you're satisfied that your son is ok, I would ask what the risk assessments and arrangements are in place for remote supervision. I assume there is more than one member of staff on the trip. Could it be that another was making their way to him? I can't believe the teachers would just leave him!

Why are people doubting the existence of the school trip? Our teens' whole school ski trip is this week. Open to all years. Our two year 11's would've been on it if it wasn't so expensive.

We're going away ourselves next week.

This. My DD’s go to a school that have loads of trips, including abroad. Whether it was a theme park like Alton towers, or a trip to Madrid where they were allowed (at year 8) to wander around the shops alone, there was always a teachers stationed somewhere where they could find them. I can see the benefits of a teacher just giving their number out so they can move around too, but surely it should be a priority that if they are contacted by a child who needs help, that they fucking help them! I actually can’t imagine a teacher telling a sick child, in a foreign country, who they are responsible for, ‘nah I’m too busy queuing for a Disney ride, you’ll have to sit on a bench for two hours on your own until I’m finished’. Completely unacceptable

I went on a school trip to Disneyland in the early 2000s, they hosted many schools for business based educational presentations during the day and a perk was getting to go to the park.

Sounds like he feels vulnerable so called mum, he feels ill in a different country without family. Teacher should check in with him 💯

I agree there should be a process for someone taking ill so they are supported. I doubt the school only teaches 16 year olds and there could be other trips with younger children, and you would not wish it to happen to say an 11 or 12 year old.

Though like some other posters seem to be hinting, why on earth a school arranges a trip to Disneyland in GCSE year is beyond me.

That’s shit then. I know a few secondary teachers, who are also MFL teachers, maybe they just expect to have to do it.

Surely she took him to the Infirmary, where they have a teacher's number in case he gets worse. Teacher has the responsibility of the other kids- and if he is at Infirmary, is in good hands.

I would be pissed off about this too op. Whether he’s 16 or 26, if you go on a group trip you’d expect someone to show an ounce of empathy and help get you back to the hotel. Especially as it’s actually the teachers’ job - they’re not there for a free jolly.

He's not a child, he's 16 - and you agreed for him to go where they would be in the park on their own, so you obviously don't think he is too young to cope with this

He split up from his group and had a teachers number, but called you instead - why didn't he call the teachers, or his friends?

Exactly! On here people are adamant that 16yo can have sex and it's no one's business, yet a 16yo can't use his senses to navigate himself. Can't he call another teacher, a friend, ask anyone passing by to get medical staff?

I went to Disneyland on my own with my boyfriend when I was 16. We travelled all the way there and back on our own. I think a few hours on his own is ok.

They are amazing teachers to be giving up their school holiday to take children on a trip!
Difficult call for that teacher - leave other children (who could have included children with additional needs or health needs, and therefore needed closer supervision) to go check on OP's child, or trust OP's child to get back to hotel. Not an easy choice.

Where did the op say that at all, let alone clearly? She said the groups were allowed to go around the park on their own, and her son was with his friends who left? You’ve completely made that up 🤷🏼‍♀️

It doesn't sound brilliantly organised.

Whenever I've done theme park trips, two teachers have been stationed somewhere central (usually cracking on with work on laptops at a cafe) & students know to go there if they get separated from their friends, are unwell etc.

If a student needs a teacher to go & find them in a dire emergency, one does that whilst the other stays put.

I would still expect a 16yo with a dicky tum to be able to find somewhere quiet to sit on his phone for a bit, though.

& yes to 'year 11s, Easter, on a jolly, wtaf?!'

Omg at 16 calling his mum in another country instead of the teacher/his friends/going to medical centre etc etc etc. This is ridiculous and quite embarrassing for a 16-year-old not being able to deal with this himself

it depends. yes, teachers can be pressurised to go, and forced to in many unofficial ways.

So to clarify… the school has taken a bunch of year 11s to Disney land just before exam season? Sorry; I’ve worked in some very disorganised schools and even they wouldn’t do this…!

What has that to do with this post?? The OP hasn’t mentioned his exams so why are you?

So the school can force you to go on these trips? I work in a primary school and we do two residentials a year, and they don’t make anybody go. Of course, I understand if no one goes the children can’t go, but they certainly can’t make a teacher go…..

She was in the queue for two hours and then presumably on the ride? How was he supposed to find her if she was unwilling to leave the queue? Given he had stomach pains and was throwing up, I think it was more sensible of him to stay on the bench near the toilets