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Original poster

School trips abroad. If we say no to going on the trip, how will this effect DD?

31 replies

Beatles19 · 05/10/2016 20:39

DD is in first year at secondary school and there is a trip abroad organised to learn the language and explore the city. They will be Travelling by coach overnight and then ferry, followed by a week of activities, coming home 5 days later.

They are going to a country where DD is already fluent, as DH is from this country so it will be no advantage for that.
Also I'm not keen on the idea of a coach overnight but I havent at all put my concerns on to DD.

She isn't too fussed either way, but if we decide that she isnt going, will it be a big disadvantage to her?
Thank you for any ideas and thôughts.

OP posts:
mummytime · 06/10/2016 07:49

Umm - when I was at school in a deprived area (and having a lone parent Mum so we were pretty poor); my school ran language trips and lots of people went, because they help.
In the OP's case it sounds as if they are trying to keep the costs down: hence overnight coach. However it doesn't sound as if it will be of benefit to the OP's DD, who already knows the country and language. So I wouldn't be too bothered.

2StripedSocks · 06/10/2016 07:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bojorojo · 05/10/2016 23:28

Oh, and, if people do not support trips, they may end up being cancelled and worse, the teachers stop organising them altogether. So when something may have been educationally useful, it doesn't happen.

bojorojo · 05/10/2016 23:23

I think it depends on how many other children go and if her friends go. If she is not fussed you won't have her pleading with you to go. She may run the risk of being seen as superior in that she does not need this experience, unlike some of the others who will see it as good fun, a chance to make friends in a different non-school environment, and even worthwhile. My DDs never passed up chances to do anything with friends and would have hated being out of the "chat" loop on return. School trips are never totally about the educational academic content alone. They are partly about being away from home, getting along with friends in a dorm or hotel, having a laugh, being prepared for the day, seeing your teachers in a different light, entertaining yourself and joining in with songs, and spreading your wings away from parents for a bit.

I do agree with you re the overnight coach though. Why not go during the day?

BackforGood · 05/10/2016 23:10

Are you the same person that has started the other thread ?
If not, there's 2 of you asking the same question Hmm

Not much point in her going if she is already fluent in the language, unless of course she particularly wants to and the money isn't a problem for you. There will be plenty of dc who don't go on a trip like this.

AChickenCalledKorma · 05/10/2016 22:13

I guess it depends what proportion of the year group go on the trip. We have a similar one offered in year 7 but only a fraction of the students go on it so it's no big deal if you don't. Is there any way you can find out from the school - or parents of older kids?

If a high proportion go, then there is a risk of it becoming a big shared experience that she feels excluded from. Also there might be kudos for her in being fluent and able to help the others with language issues?