Residential trip to France age 10 too young

It's certainly not the norm where I am. But we are many hours from a ferry.

It would be a very long, miserable coach journey.

I wouldn't dream of sending a year 6 on a trip like that. Ours did a 3 night residential, about a 2 hour drive away.

Wow! My twins are in year 5 and will be going on a 2 night residential 45 mins away in March and then 2 nights in year 6 slightly further afield. 5 night in France? Way too young and surprised that others think that's 'the norm'. It's certainly not where I am from.

My kids did 1 night stays in y3 and y4, 3 nights in year 5 and 4 nights in y6. None were abroad because it would be too costly and time
consuming to get to France.

My kids would be happy with 4 nights and going to France but wouldn’t be overjoyed at the prospect of a 9 hour coach trip as they were prone to travel sickness but they’d suck it up because they’d have FOMO if they didn’t go.

Has he been abroad before?

Some Primary schools seem OTT and competitive with residential trips these days.. mine had 3 days in Yr6 (my eldest didn't even get that due to Covid) but friends school take them away in Yr3, 4,5 and 6! Some parents struggled with the one payment.

However... if you can afford it and he wants to go... let him. Many children do enjoy the trips.

Residentials in the UK are often from 8 so with kids and teachers he knows I think abroad at 10 sounds fine. My daughter would love it and I would love for her to have that opportunity.

My 10 year old wouldn't go without a parent. Just doesn't feel comfortable. And I would respect that.

I think that's quite young. In my DDs school they do a 2 night residential at a camp 1h drive away in year 5 then a 3 night in the UK in year 6.
My eldest DD is going skiing with school next winter, she's year 9. I think that's about the right age.

As a 10yo, I had the opportunity to go to France for a week with school and loved it! The children were all year 5 or 6 and very few got homesick. He'll remember it forever, I'd encourage him to go personally but you know him best.

I did, I was a young year 6, so my birthday wasnt untill the end of june. I was 10, had the time of my life and was totally fine! the rule on ours was that if you didn't go on the trip, you still had to go to school - everyone went!

Went to France overnight in year 6. Fabulous experience. Still remember it

If he has enjoyed a 3 day residential I don't think he will struggle with a 5 day one. I would encourage him to go.

We did it at our village school, Top juniors, There was a thriving Twinning organisation at the time. It was enjoyed by all.

It's pretty normal I think. My children's school did a trip to france for years 5 and 6 every other year (so everyone went once in one of those years). My oldest was in y5, so nine when she went and she had a good time in spite of the terrible food. I don't think I ever presented not going as an option, possibly if I had they might have wobbled.

Ours used to go to the Isle of Wight or similar for a few nights. I would have liked them to go abroad in year 6 though as at the start of year 7 they had to commit (or not!) to a Spanish trip with kids they barely knew so that might have given them the confidence to do it.

I did one at that age back in the 70's. I loved every minute of it. I really don't see the problem.

My DC’s school did one night sleepover at school in year 4, two night UK residential in year 5 and a five night French residential in year 6. I was really worried about them all as he is very much a home body and hasn’t wanted to do sleepovers with his friends until recently (now year 7). However, he coped fine. Moaned about the food but that was it. He’s asked to go on a school trip to Spain in year 8 so it clearly hasn’t put him off travelling without us!

It may be too soon for YOUR child but I don't think 10 is too young in general.

Some of our local Primaries do France as Y6 trip

Here our primary did a number of residential trips, building up from one night in y4, through to 4 nights in Y6. All UK based though.

Dh did this at 10, but maybe different times. I'd let my 10 year old do this if he had the opportunity though.

No. It would be too much for my 10 year old.

His year 6 class are having a 3 day UK residential and that's fine but 5 days in a foreign country? No way.

In Ye Olden Days we did a 5-night residential in France in Y7, and at my kids' school now the norm is 4 nights on the South coast in Y6 and 5 nights in France in Y7. It's certainly not for everyone though. One of mine has done Cubs and Scout camp and probably won't bat an eyelid - the other will be a different kettle of fish and will certainly be very worked up about it, if they do go (but will probably love it!). It's a very individual decision.

I have to say, I think an exchange is even harder - at least on a school trip you're with all your friends and teachers 24/7. I'd have found an exchange to another country very hard at age 10!

Optional but standard at our school. Two trips are offered but many don’t go on either.

First overnight residential was Y5 and all but 3 kids went.