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Original poster

Missing out on School Trips

65 replies

Itsmylife2 · 17/12/2022 20:47

Any advice for a frustrated parent who's child has missed out on two school trips in a row.

The school has a ballot for each trip and my son's name was not pulled out of the hat last year or this year. He was bitterly disappointed last year and feels even worse this year. OK life isn't fair but the school could at least help even the playing field. Surely its only fair that if a few children miss out one year they are given priority on the next selection. Otherwise some unlucky children risk never going away while others get to go on all the trips.

Anyway we've taken the first step writing to the school but suspect we'll just be told its the school policy. Would very much appreciate any suggestions on how to pitch an approach to head teachers, govenors etc?

OP posts:
catsonahottinroof · 18/12/2022 02:18

That's really poor - if they can't allow for the possibility that everyone wants to go then they shouldn't run it at all. It's different if it's a trip abroad as these are usually so expensive that only a handful of children apply to go anyway.

starray · 18/12/2022 02:16

Yes, life isn't fair, but if it is within the school's power to be fair, then they absolutely should be fair. They are treating the children unfairly when they have a choice to treat them fairly. It's not like it's something that cannot be helped.

starray · 18/12/2022 02:13

Especially that only 10 or 20 out of 240 miss out. All the children will be talking about the event and really excited about the trip and those few children will be left out. Really shocking. Your poor son. I feel really angry on your behalf.

starray · 18/12/2022 02:10

That's awful and really unfair. You are not being unreasonable to be upset about it. Can you find any other children who have been affected by this policy and complain as a group?

theblackradiator · 18/12/2022 01:47

My dcs school trip had to be cancelled because they couldn't find enough students that wanted (or maybe couldn't afford) to go. it was a residential trip abroad for 4 days dc was extremely disappointed as it would've been a great experience. These trips can be very expensive so I'm surprised to hear of the amount of students going on the trips from your ds school. But yes I definitely agree with you that the students that miss out should be prioritised next time definitely email school. maybe have a word with the head at the next parents evening if possible. Our head usually is around at parents evening incase parents have any questions.

Original poster
Itsmylife2 · 18/12/2022 01:24

Its a three day residential trip for Yr8 paid for by parents. I don't know exact numbers but last year I'd estimate that 10-20 out of 240 students missed out on the annual event and probably a similar situation this year. So a relatively small number miss out every year and occasionally some will miss out twice or even more if they're very unlucky.

I suspect only a few children/parents are that unlucky so the school just ignores the complaints and falls back on the "its our policy" or "it's just bad luck" or "life isn't fair" argument.

Harsh, even cruel and totally avoidable, with a little admin, to use the schools existing database of who's been on previous trips to ensure fairness each year.

OP posts:
daisyjgrey · 18/12/2022 00:46

This method sounds chaotic. Why on earth would a school think that was a good idea!

Either book trips that all kids have the opportunity to go on or don't run them.

VimFuego101 · 18/12/2022 00:45

I agree, if a child doesn't get selected one year they should get first priority the next. How many kids get to go vs how many stay behind? Seems odd that it's 'part of the curriculum' if not all kids are included.

jellyjellopeea · 18/12/2022 00:41

Yep absolutely shitty and you should lobby the school for a policy change. Missed out last year? First dibs this year.
Make a big deal about this, OP. It's completely unfair.

LolaSmiles · 18/12/2022 00:34

How can it be a few days away as part of the curriculum but only a handful of students get to go?

If it's part of the curriculum they should all have the opportunity, and the trip would usually run for the year group who are studying the topic.

If it's an enrichment trip ran by a department then that's different.

TheArtfulStodger · 18/12/2022 00:30

That is actually quite shitty. The previously missed out kids should automatically get to go the next year.

Original poster
Itsmylife2 · 18/12/2022 00:24

Its not a behaviour issue, we've never had any problems like that. Its a few days away as part of the curriculum and I agree all the children should have a chance to go.

The school's perspective is there are limited places so they pull names out of a hat. My son and a few others missed last years trip and unluckily he will miss out again this year. That means nearly all of his peers will have been on two trips but he hasn't been on any. You might call it bad luck but the school could moderate it by giving priority to anyone who missed out in previous years.

I'm expecting a "that's just our policy" response from the school so trying to think of ways to counter that argument or seeing how other schools handle the selection when there are limited places.

OP posts:
belowfrozen · 17/12/2022 23:48

Are these free trips or paid? What type of trips? Our state high does tons.

BungleandGeorge · 17/12/2022 20:56

This is annoying, I don’t know why they can’t just take them all. If it’s a curriculum trip on a school day then they should all be going. If it’s not part of the curriculum it shouldn’t be happening on a school day!

KindergartenKop · 17/12/2022 20:54

What's his behaviour like? Could they not want to take him?

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