Residential trip to France age 10 too young

It's not too young but will depend on the child. If yours doesn't want to go he should be able to opt out.

How lovely. Pack 'em off.

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.

Nope, not joking! We’re in Northern Ireland and I’d struggle to think of a school local to us that doesn’t take a doctor on their ski trips due to the injury risk. It’s a good idea and a nice safety net in my opinion. My best friend’s DH is an anaesthetist and he went with DD’s school most years! Also remember quite a few GPs with kids in the school who volunteered. @BBQPete

He will be gutted he missed out once he hears how much fun everyone else had. He definitely should go.

I think that’s great. You must be more south than us. In the late nineties I went as a year six (but a summer born so still aged ten) to the French alps from north west England on a coach with school. 24 hour drive. We had great fun. I wish my kids school did the same but he gets two nights away!

My ds did a residential in France sort of mid to late y6 when he was still 10 (July baby). I hated every single second. They posted pics regularly and before he went we discussed a hand signal for to show he was happy in the pics, which he promptly forgot! By all accounts he had a great time, but I missed him horribly.

Also why on earth would send him if he's not keen

We'll don't send him then if you're worried

'He has focal epilepsy, which is well managed. But if he ended up in a French hospital without me that worries me a lot!'

You'd have to go and collect him yourself from France because the teachers would be busy looking after all the other DC if he did have an episode

If you're happy for him to go make sure you take out your own separate travel insurance for him. I did that for my DC for all school trips just in case. French hospitals are excellent so he'll be fine

I'd send him

@Dithercats I understand entirely why trips abroad might be off the table for a variety of reasons, but it seems very sad and quite controlling that your DC “know not to ask” for a trip abroad. Surely within a healthy family dynamic members of the family feel able to raise things, suggest things, ask for things? Even if ultimately they cannot have them, the dialogue around matters is surely important?

OP I do not think year 6 is necessarily too young. But it’s very child specific. Two of my 3 would have been ok. One most certainly would not. In reality they did UK trips in year 6 and one went abroad in year 7.

My DS did a 5 night residential in France in the autumn of Yr6 when he was still 10 - loved every minute, had a great time. It really depends on the individual child and whether you think they will cope - but don't let your own anxieties colour your judgement, because 10 is absolutely not too young for many.

I went to France on a 5 day school trip when I was in year 6. Some year 5 children came too. We have a brilliant time. I have very fond memories of our trip. I'm sure the school has carried out the necessary risk assessments, etc. That said, if you don't think your child will enjoy it, and they don't want to go tjen don't send them.

Not a chance.

You're joking. Where in earth do you live where school trips take a doctor and a medically qualified parent?

In 40 years of teaching I've never heard of anyone medically trained accompanying a trip (though one staff member at least will have a basic first aid certificate)

I went to France in equivalent Y5 and skiing in Italy on year 6 (sounds fancy but was a bog standard primary school) .that's was 40+ years ago though! Seems a bit young when I think of my own kids but I had a great time as far as I can remember.

He'd probably get better treatment

The school would have arrangements for medical care

Which schools have a Doctor they can take on a school trip ?

My elder DS did a 10 day kayaking adventure holiday in France at 10 with his school. He loved it.

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.

My children's school did this is in Year 6. I wasn't comfortable with it and luckily for me they didn't want to go anyway! I would have had to seriously consider it if they did, of course.

My eldest went away for a 3 day residential age 10 and loved it. My youngest went on a 2 day residential age 10 and hated it and was desperately homesick. It very much depends on the child.

Would you be worried if it was the UK? If not then why would France be an issue. ? Id have no issue with this at all. My brother did a y6 trip to France

Ds went to France skiing for a week in year 5 and absolutely loved it. If he isn't keen, don't book it

DC (year six) went abroad on a school skiing trip at the end of last term. Half of the kids went, the other half stayed home. I know that for some of them it was because they thought their children were too young. Between now and Year 6 your child will mature a lot. But you know your child and if you don’t think they are ready for a trip abroad (when it would be harder to bring them back if they were home sick) then that is entirely up to you. Why not wait back a bit and see if the majority commit?