Unsure whether to let DC on school trip.

[Interfluvials]

Next week. DC1 and DC2's school years are going on a joint trip to an art gallery. They're hiring a coach rather than using public transport. Cases are sky-rocketing around here (25/100000 inhabitants, over 500 new today, doubled since last week).

DC2's PE teacher tested positive at the weekend, kids are at school as normal.

They've said pupils must wear a mask on the coach. 50 8-10 year olds playing with their ill-fitting masks for an hour, closed ventilation system and then back again. Staff at gallery will wear masks obviously and they'll go round in class groups.

It would be a no from me.

I’d let them. They are at school with these kids all day anyway.

Are they in their bubble? Or mixing bubbles to go?

@ItsBeyondMe

I’d let them. They are at school with these kids all day anyway.

This

I am the educational visit coordinator for my secondary school and 50 kids plus staff on one standard coach would not pass our Covid-safe risk assessment.
On a standard-ish coach (55 seats) we would have 20 students and 5 staff. (We are an SEN school so our ratios may be different to many but 25 people for 55 seats).

I would say no for that reason. The gallery should be ok if they can get there safely and follow the current guidelines while there.

I’d let them go.

Why not? They are with these kids each day in school anyway?

The classes don't mix at school, separate break areas etc (although obviously DC1 and DC2 do at home!)

I assume 25/100000 is a typo? I would say no , I am shocked the school think a school trip is appropriate.

My daughter and all the children where I live and the surrounding villages get a school bus to school and back everyday. They do have to wear masks, but the buses start from reception age to 6 th form.

My daughters school has had 13 cases so far and all the neighbouring schools have/had cases.

It’s worrying but we have to get on with it the best we can.

I'd let them go

Also wouldn’t pass our Covid risk assessment at school. Not because of risk to children but for the accompanying adults.

No, I meant a daily increase of 25 new cases per 100,000 population.

But at school they're not all together. DC1 is in one class and DC2 in another. They are in ventilated spaces/outdoors.

(Our GP thinks DC2 should be isolating anyway...)

4 staff plus driver.

If you're not comfortable with it then don't let your children go. I wouldn't try and get it cancelled altogether.

@AvoidingRealHumans

If you're not comfortable with it then don't let your children go. I wouldn't try and get it cancelled altogether.

But a trip to an art gallery is an important one. I'd like my DC to attend if at all possible. If they could make it Covid-safe/safer then that would be my preferred solution. I wouldn't want to withdraw my DC and have them miss out.

We own a coach company and we transport a large coach of kids everyday. It’s as safe as any other public transport, so long as they’re wearing a mask. We fog the coaches to sterilise them after each use.

(Our GP thinks DC2 should be isolating anyway...)

Then get your GP to sign your child off, if your medical professional believes it's appropriate for your child to be in school, get him out of school and the LA can organise schooling.

The school trip seems perfectly fine to me, your GP thinking something and not bothering to follow through is crazy, you seemingly worried about the school trip rather than your GPs advice is weird too.

DD and DS have both been on school trips this half term. DS had a one day outdoor pursuits thing and DD had a two day version. They wore masks on the bus, everyone is fine and they had a great time. There is so little fun for children these days I happily let mine go.

It really wouldn't bother me at all. If you don't want to send your DC, just keep them off that day.

Then get your GP to sign your child off
I can't because the school has decided that the kids who were taught by her don't need to isolate 🤷‍♀️ So half the kids on the coach have been taught by someone within 48 hours of getting a positive test.

I'm not trying to get the trip cancelled but I don't think it's necessary right now. I don't see why they can't do something outdoors from here tbh.

Just been informed one of the class teachers is in quarantine, so maybe it won't be going ahead after all!