The cost of school trips in independent schools

[UkraineQueen]

I have just moved DS to an independent school, due to problems he was having at his old state secondary.

One of the things I am genuinely shocked at is how much cheaper the school trips are in the independent school. For example, a 3-day trip to Germany at his old school was going to cost £800. The trip to Paris at the new independent school will be £600 for 6 days. Both trips involved flights and a stay at 2 star hotel accommodation.

I am wondering now why school trips in state schools are so expensive, or is it just that our experiences aren't typical of the norm?

@BallyHockeySticks I personally wouldn't stay 3* either but yes, I'd expect them to have access to room service.

Why would schoolchildren need room service?

@MariaNovella for the exact same reasons adults do. They're in their room and fancy something to eat or drink.

The school trip will provide meals at set times. Children don’t need extra meals outside those times.

@MariaNovella how can you say they 'don't need' any extra meals? They are on holiday and should be allowed to order snacks etc to the room if they want them. What if they're thirsty?

Then they can drink some water. Honestly, a school trip is not a family holiday and the degree of luxury and self-indulgence that some families afford their own DC on a private holiday is not a benchmark for the standards required for a school trip.

No, really? Thank goodness I don't have to take other people's children on holiday

2 star places in Europe can be quite grim but I would imagine the school has done its research and picked something decent. Paris is quite cheap to get to though so I would imagine that’s part of the reason.

I think Pinkyyy is just winding everyone up.

They aren't on 'holiday' they are on an educational trip.
The hotel wouldn't/shouldn't let them charge extras to the room - can you imagine the outcry that might cause with parents when darling Chelsea runs up £80 of extras?
If they are thirsty then they drink water, or use a vending machine or similar.

I am assuming pinkyyy’s joking!

I'm most definitely not joking and I think the term 'educational' needs to be used very loosely. I wouldn't be giving £600+ for my DC to go away and stay in a dump. I'd rather take them away myself.

I'm absolutely cracking up. Room service 😂😂😂😂

pinky must be winding people up, no one in their right minds would let dc on trip near room service.
It would turn into home alone in New York 🤣

Very few parents would agree to letting their DC have an open tab for room service on a school trip...

Dc like the camp trips best in our school and I doubt they would even get one star but the are only 400 dollars for a week with everything so I think they are excellent value. Loads of activities and decent food.

My DD has a 5-day school trip in September. It costs €400. School has sent out a reminder, suggesting DC use the summer holidays to do babysitting and gardening and errands to earn some of the costs. There isn't going to be room service

Well I can assure you all I'm quite serious. They don't have to have an open tab, room service can either be paid in cash or added to your room.

I am crying laughing at kids having access to room service on a school trip!

And you really can’t understand that school trips need rules and organization that all students need to adhere to?

I’ve tried- but I really can’t believe the room service thing. Or the 2* thing.

Imagine the one dc who had permission to have room service added to their bill, how popular would they be!
Like the teachers don't have enough to manage.

The school trips my DD goes on are to youth hostel type places. 4 or 6 to a room.

What's unruly about a kid ordering a diet coke to their room and paying for it? Jesus Christ you're talking about room service like it's reserved for royalty. God forbid I mention it would be nice for them to have a pool.

DrReich

pinky If you ever have any dc on a school trip, state or private you are in for a crushing disappointment.