Skiing trip in regular state secondary?

Local state school does but DDs private school doesn't.

I think it's a great thing to do. I used to rep for school ski groups and it's a real learning experience for the kids

My State Comp in Dagenham offered Ski trips in the 70s and 80s. Families might not be able to afford to go themselves but did afford to send their Children once.

I do thing the World War 1 trip is worth it. Such an important lesson go learn.

DDs state school do this but this year take up was low so they down graded it from Canada (£2,500) to Europe. DD isn’t going. Yes DD is at grammar but it doesn’t seem any different from nearby comps or independents. As a state school parent with some means however when I do sign DD up for a trip I consider putting a bit extra in the pot to help pay for those who can’t afford it but would like the opportunity to go.

Conversely I am happy to pay £100 for an educational D-Day landing and war graves trip to learn about impact of war and conflict.

DD has some friends at an independent who are currently on a skiing trip. Two of the girls just got hypothermia in minus 22 temperatures. Ouch

Nicer to give more kids the option, and mess less with the climate, by sticking to Europe.

Schools do charge different amounts ....for different ski trips.
Some resorts are more expensive than others and some transport routes and options cheaper than others. Some companies might charge a bit more. I really do t think any school looks for a trip which is expensive for what it is. They get a couple of quotes from travel companies that specialise in school trips, bargain a bit and choose. Of course the price quoted includeS X no of staff - it couldn't run without them. Yes they are going and skiing for free (with a load of teenagers) but they are on duty 24/7 and as lots say, it saves the cost of a whole family going. And of course the travel company have to make some money.

But I know from experience, schools work hard to get the trips as cheaply as possible. But they don't all cost the same as the trips aren't all the same. Not everyone can go to the same resort and some trips might cost double others, but those schools have judged that they can fill that trip - there will be limited places on any anyway. Higher prices will exclude some....but is it e job of e school to only offer the most bargain basement trips - not everyone will still be able to go, plus more people will be disappointed when they can afford it but a place isn't available.

I really think schools try to avoid being ripped off but they do choose different trips which cost different amounts, some decide to fly and some to go by coach,some to USA and some to France. Most schools aim to offer a range of different trips at a range of prices. Some kids will go on more or the more expensive ones than others. Surely schools provide the standard education to all (pretty limited by the funding crisis) and then they try to offer further stuff too....but you have to pay for it. Regarding the expensive trips, he minority rather than majority go too, so there really isn't a stigma of not going. Some parents might feel disappointed that they can't afford to send their kids, but that happens across lots of things across life with luxury, non essential items and trips and I think the idea that kids are devastated and scarred for life by realising some people go on the ski trip and they haven't been, is just overly dramatic.

We always did (rural comp, now in a mat) It's been ditched this year. I wasn't sorry (cover manager) as it was either a gamble getting decent pe cover, and then last year I had to do it all myself as we don't buy supply. And we've had some spectacular injuries. It was always full, but not open to payment by pp, so not inclusive. It was supposed to be for the benefit of A level pe.

I went skiiing at normal secondary, donkeys years ago.

Ds1's secondary does still offer. Expensive. But manageable. £700.

Our school does it each year to Austria. Costs about £1,000. Eldest DC went twice and youngest will go next year.

Great lessons included and both DC are now competent skiers. It’s a skill for life, like riding a bike you don’t forget how to ski. Well you maybe get a bit rusty but after an hour or two you are soon back in the swing of it.

We've seen that some schools charge twice as much as others.

I think going by coach takes so much time and it’s a real drag. Just flying to a nearby Alpine country is pretty cheap really. School trip prices include paying for the staff! That’s why they seem expensive!

They DO make it as cheap as poss. I’d challenge anyone to find a week of skiing in Feb half term for £800 with all included. And remember it’s hours and hours of work for the teachers organising it beforehand and a big burden of responsibility during the hols....and yes they will ski for free but I think they’ve earned it. Most schools insist of an approved travel co being involved now for risk issues and they have to make some money from it. Goodness who would organise trips abroad without that backup these day when so many people would sue you for next to nothing.

There are lots of things schools do to broaden access for those of limited means. Schools cannot remove inequality and it’s not their remit anyway. I don’t think they should stop offering the more expensive trips because not all can go. In most cases most don’t go so it’s not the issue some seem to think it is in terms of singling people out.

My DD school runs one yearly for year 10. is in Feb half term and is £1000. They are away 8 days and get 6 full days tuition, plus evening activities. They go by coach ( 26 hrs ! ) and stay in a youth hostel ( make own pack lunches etc )
We had 2 years to pay for it. I think good value compared to other school trips.

If they're going to offer a skiing holiday, then they should make it as cheap as possible.
Surprised no-one is interested in the nearly free option of going on a skiing holiday as part of a language exchange. My dcs can now ski AND speak French!

My DS school does it every other year. This time it's to Boston but it's £1900. DS not going and we don't know anyone who is.

Goingonandonandon I do agree with you. People know that life isnt fair, they know (despite claims about uniform masking it) that some students have a lot more than others. But school should be the one place where life should be as fair as is possible. Deliberately running a trip which will exclude large numbers of students for economic reasons does seem to run completely counter to the idea of keeping education fair.

Ours used to go and it set them up as skiers for life. It took place in holidays, was Italy or France rather than Whistler so not as expensive as it could have been. We don’t ski so it was a fabulous oppportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise have had.

It was always a lottery for first timers as fewer places than pupils wanting to go. I’m really pleased the staff were willing to take them.
Yes, some children couldn’t afford it but then some children didn’t go on family holidays or drive cars at 17 either. Sadly, life isn’t always fair but I’m not sure why if everyone can’t, nobody should have the pleasure.

My DC's schools offer skiing. DS's school does Europe and coach for £800ish. DD's school's offer was Whistler by plane for nearly £2k - she didn't go!

Her trip to Vienna for German/History was about £800.

All school trips seem expensive compared to family hols as they include everything - trips, food etc.

Our school did. They were pricey and only the rich kids could afford it. Never saw the point myself - and I wasn't a rich kid so I never went.

£2k, flippin hek. My kids are 2 and 5, but I just decided they won't be going

Our school offered a ski trip to Italy last February. My kids didn't do as they're not interested in skiing. I think it was about £800 for 5 days, flights though not coach as we're in Scotland.

Yes, all of my kids schools offered it, usually feb half term

Thanks to all the hardworking PE teachers who make these trips happen. We definitely couldn't afford to ski as a family and it's something that one of my dcs has discovered he's very good at. It was a great opportunity.

Both of my DC went on their comp school ski trip. One was during half term and the other was in the Easter holidays. Cost was about £900 for the week in Austria/Italy by coach.