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Original poster

Residential trip to France age 10 too young

112 replies

J578 · 20/01/2025 14:43

My 10 year old is due to go on a residential trip to France at the beginning of year 6 (this sep) he will still be 10.
it’s for 5 days, going ny coach so around a 9 hr journey.
my son isn’t too keen on going so we haven’t paid the deposit yet, but worries he may miss out.
AIBU to think this is a bit young to be doing an overseas residential?

OP posts:
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Longma · 21/01/2025 19:08

Dd went to France on a school residential in year 5, she was 10y.
She loved it.

I don't think it's too young for many children.
It may be for some.

Disturbia81 · 21/01/2025 18:58

CurbsideProphet · 20/01/2025 14:49

Wow 5 days abroad for a residential while still in primary school definitely isn't normal here!

Same, I've never heard of it. It's usually around year 10/age 15

Lobstercrisps · 21/01/2025 09:17

Also my DC went to Iceland with school in the holidays in Yr6. So we'll travelled that year! Iceland was optional though and expensive obvs.

Lobstercrisps · 21/01/2025 09:15

My DC did two nights in Yr4, three nights in yr5, and give nights in France in Yr6.

They loved it. All private schools near us do France in year6, though we are near the south coast.

ADifferentSong · 21/01/2025 09:08

OzCalling · 20/01/2025 19:28

The schools almost always bring a trip doctor with them - typically a medically qualified parent. Plus it’s only France, realistically you could be there within a few hours if necessary.

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This is really not the case - either State or private.

Vettrianofan · 21/01/2025 07:27

badwife29 · 20/01/2025 22:48

Nor here! Two nights at a grim activity centre about 40 minutes down the road. And two kids needed picking up because they got noro.

I wouldnt feel comfortable about my dc going abroad without me at that age. And a 9 hour coach journey too...no thanks.

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Yes that's similar here too. Two nights in P6/7 at a residential activity centre place. And that's far enough for most.

ClockingOffers · 20/01/2025 23:00

I think 10's a bit young for a trip abroad with school for most kids. They don't really do residential trips abroad until kids are 16 at my DS's school.

I didn't go on any school trips when I was a kid and I don't think I missed anything much. I definitely wouldn't have wanted to spend any extra time with any of the kids at my school, that's for sure. 😂

badwife29 · 20/01/2025 22:48

CurbsideProphet · 20/01/2025 14:49

Wow 5 days abroad for a residential while still in primary school definitely isn't normal here!

Nor here! Two nights at a grim activity centre about 40 minutes down the road. And two kids needed picking up because they got noro.

I wouldnt feel comfortable about my dc going abroad without me at that age. And a 9 hour coach journey too...no thanks.

batterychicken · 20/01/2025 22:42

Don't make him go then but he'll probably feel left out when all his friends are talking about how fun it was 🤷‍♀️

ScaryM0nster · 20/01/2025 22:26

You’re being unreasonable to think he’s too young.

Absolutely fine not to send him if he genuinely doesn’t wasn’t to go.

GutsyQuoter · 20/01/2025 22:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

OzCalling · 20/01/2025 22:23

Seahorseraces · 20/01/2025 22:20

Do they? I’ve never heard of schools taking doctor?!

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Ours did! My friend’s anaesthetist DH took great delight in a free ski trip 🤣

Seahorseraces · 20/01/2025 22:20

OzCalling · 20/01/2025 19:28

The schools almost always bring a trip doctor with them - typically a medically qualified parent. Plus it’s only France, realistically you could be there within a few hours if necessary.

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Do they? I’ve never heard of schools taking doctor?!

WinterOnItsWayOut · 20/01/2025 21:54

We went to the IOW in middle school and my DC's had 5 nights on the IOW too. Semi abroad!

@lompi our school wouldn't let parents do this as all the children need to be treated equally and would be upsetting for some if their parents weren't nearby when you were for your DC

soundsys · 20/01/2025 21:46

I've never heard of an overseas residential from primary children! Is it an exchange (staying with a local family) or in accommodation all together with teachers? If the former or would be an absolute no from me at that age!

Cakeandusername · 20/01/2025 21:43

We do a guides trip every other yr to Disneyland Paris via coach. Age 10 plus. It’s a very popular 4 day trip.
If you think he’s too young don’t sign him.

Boxfreshrussell · 20/01/2025 21:42

Y6 here was UK based and although my confident 11 year old enjoyed it over all, they were homesick. For me, 5 days in France, with a very long journey is too much for Y6. Even Y7 I would be concerned. Of course it depends on the child but I feel they need to be able to completely look after themselves and be pretty streetwise. No teacher can possibly look after all those children, as a parent would, in a foreign country. I feel for the teachers.

Hoppinggreen · 20/01/2025 21:36

Its up to each parent but I would not have been happy with my child going abroad without me at that age.
DD did a similar trip in Y8 and that was fine

Vettrianofan · 20/01/2025 21:30

S4 it often is common to go overseas. It's unheard of where I live for them to go before secondary age.

lemonmeringuepie1997 · 20/01/2025 21:27

Pretty standard trip for year 6 here.
2 of mine went and loved it. My other one didn't go and felt like she missed out but knows she wouldn't have coped.

Gogogo12345 · 20/01/2025 21:25

SunnyHappyPeople · 20/01/2025 20:46

Oh Lord!

You would really do this? You'd look completely unhinged.

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Oh id have been so embarrassed at that age if my Dad had done such a thing. Cringe

OzCalling · 20/01/2025 20:53

lompi · 20/01/2025 20:19

I'm definitely a bit of a helicopter parent although I try not to be. I think it's too young

I'd be scared of him missing out though. I'd fly as a family and get accommodation nearby. Drop him where they are staying and make him aware that we are nearby should he want to stay overnights with us. I'd go about having a nice time whilst we were there.

I appreciate this isn't in everyone's budgets but this would be my solution.

Sounds like you need some help for your anxiety.

Adamante · 20/01/2025 20:51

My dd didn’t want to go on her residential, so I didn’t make her. She never felt she missed out & all I ever heard from the parents of the other children was that their children said it was boring and they had to wait around a lot.

However, your child enjoyed the three day residential so he may well regret it. I’d gently encourage I think, but like you, I’d be very anxious about it.

SunnyHappyPeople · 20/01/2025 20:46

lompi · 20/01/2025 20:19

I'm definitely a bit of a helicopter parent although I try not to be. I think it's too young

I'd be scared of him missing out though. I'd fly as a family and get accommodation nearby. Drop him where they are staying and make him aware that we are nearby should he want to stay overnights with us. I'd go about having a nice time whilst we were there.

I appreciate this isn't in everyone's budgets but this would be my solution.

Oh Lord!

You would really do this? You'd look completely unhinged.

BarkLife · 20/01/2025 20:29

I don't think it's a case of 'too young', OP.

Some children aren't able to cope away from home/mum until they're a bit older - it's developmental. I was one of them (was always homesick but was signed up to do orchestra residentials etc. from a young age).

DS1 is AuDHD and didn't want to do the Y6 residential. I left it open until the last minute but he was adamant he wasn't going. He needs lots of downtime/alone-time and I respected that. He's now keen to go on Y7 residential.

Your DS will be ready in time.

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