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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:
Seahorseraces · 20/01/2025 14:50

A loooong time ago now but I did a residential to France in year 6. I was 11 though. I really loved it and have great memories. All children are different though. It may backfire and you end up driving to pick them up 🤣

CurbsideProphet · 20/01/2025 14:49

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

edwinbear · 20/01/2025 14:49

DS went on the school ski trip in Y5 and had a great time, they also did a 5 day residential in Y6. They do seem quite small, but school will be well versed both in keeping them all safe and also ensuring they have a brilliant time!

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 20/01/2025 14:49

In my DC they do an overnight to an activity centre in year 4 and France in year 6. (Normal state school).

The year 4 one felt early to me but actually my DC absolutely loved it. I'm not too worried by the year 6 one now.

It probably helps that my DC have been to brownies /cubs camps before too .

In my school I would say all but 2-3 children from the class of 30 go on the trip and there is lots of activities in the run up to it that link to the trip to get the children engaged.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 20/01/2025 14:49

Private or state? Our state (where DS currently is) stays in the UK for residential but all the local private schools start going abroad from Y5/Y6.

Cariad10 · 20/01/2025 14:49

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?

a few years ago now but I went to Switzerland on a 5 day trip when I was 10. It was absolutely amazing. I remember being a bit nervous of being away from home for about 5 minutes after getting on the bus out side the school. Them the excitement kicked in. It was brilliant and now 45 years later is till have very fine memories of the trip

RedKiteMaidenhead · 20/01/2025 14:48

A 5 day residential is standard for Y6 - maybe not abroad, but driving to France isn't massively different to going to the South Coast / South West.
Residentials will always be hard for some kids - he would definitely miss out socially by not going, but equally you know him best as to whether you think he would cope.

My DD is Y5 - she's done two nights away locally (in Y4) but in the next 6 months is doing two week-long Europe trips. She's nervous but she knows they will be wonderful experiences. My DS managed his 5 days in Devon in Y6, but is otherwise not inclined to be away from home (he doesn't get homesick, but he has ASD and struggles when he doesn't know what to expect, can be very tricky with food, etc).

SageInspo · 20/01/2025 14:47

The expectations on teachers is ridiculous..

LIZS · 20/01/2025 14:46

Both dc did exchange visits at that age, staying with host families. It went fine and they saw their friends and teachers each day.

Needanadultgapyear · 20/01/2025 14:46

DD went in year 5 had a brilliant time.

Pyjamatimenow · 20/01/2025 14:45

Not the usual where we are. Y6 is normally two days somewhere in the UK. I wouldn’t be keen on them going abroad at that age

Tubetrain · 20/01/2025 14:43

It's pretty standard for Y6 - will they all be going? they may talk about it all year and he'll feel he has missed out.