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Original poster

£1800 for a school trip

468 replies

Patchw0rk · 25/05/2023 14:55

Is it just me, or what are the school thinking?!

DC desperately wants to go of course- all their friends are, of course 🙄and we could possibly afford it with a lot of hard work (on my part, overtime!) but we could take the whole family away for that.

DC is 13 so old enough to understand about money really but so wants to go. It's a week skiing in Canada. I want them to have brilliant life experiences but it's just so much money.

I just think school have lost the plot. Could they really not have come up with something more reasonable for a y9 trip?

OP posts:
SacreBleugh · 28/05/2023 19:28

I thinks it's total bollocks OP. There's no need. My son recently went skiing in Bulgaria- which is still too expensive for a lot of kids at his state school- but is more affordable. Kids don't need to go to Canada to get the experience.

IncreasinglyGrumpy · 28/05/2023 19:36

This is madness - I had 4 all at secondary school at the same time and we had mass guilt if we couldn't afford the school trips but that amount of money is ridiculous - life is hard enough without having more 'have and have not' situations

Mylittlepea · 28/05/2023 19:42

We are paying £1200 for DS to Austria - on a coach, probably basic hotel and worries about Dover crossing etc but he didn’t do school trips for 2-3 years cos of covid so we are saving monthly and stumping up the cash….

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Mylittlepea · 28/05/2023 19:43

Sorry should have added ski trip, Easter 2024

ScruffyGrape · 28/05/2023 20:10

spiderlight · 25/05/2023 15:28

It's about par for the course, rightly or wrongly. We paid £1200 for DS to go to Japan for ten days in Y7, four years ago, and it had risen to £1500 by the time the trip was offered again last year, although it ended up being cancelled because of Covid-related uncertainty. This was from a very mixed-demographic state comprehensive. It was a fabulous experience and I'm glad we were able to stretch to it. It's beyond a lot of people's reach in the current climate, though.

That was a fantastic price for 10 days in Japan!

ScruffyGrape · 28/05/2023 20:15

We paid £440 for 5 days for the children to go to France/disney which I thought was a bargain. I couldn't justify £1800 for a trip though, no matter how much they wanted to go. It would disappoint them and hurt your heart, but sometimes it's just no!

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 28/05/2023 20:51

CharlotteStreetW1 · 28/05/2023 08:54

No not the school or the teachers.

I confess my ignorance here and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I presume these trips are booked through specialist travel companies?

Show quote history

Yes, they are. I wonder about the impact of wage increases and fuel. Coach costs are astronomical.

H007 · 28/05/2023 20:52

I think that’s a fab price for a skiing trip and a whole load of experience. You might be able to take the whole family away for that, but you wouldn’t be able to take the whole family to Canada for that.

I only think the school is out of order if it’s not optional. They’ll be plenty of kids not going.

Alwaytired44 · 28/05/2023 21:16

My daughter is going to New York for 5 days in February with school and it’s £1400. It’s a hell of a lot of money but will I pay it? Of course I will. The memories will last a lifetime. She is Year 10 and because of all the time lost due to Covid, this is her first overnight trip in high school.

A trip to Canada will be amazing and if you can make it work, do it! Your child will remember this trip for rest of their lives x

Sunsetmom · 28/05/2023 21:52

i agree it’s expensive however would I pay it? Absolutely if my child wanted to go. It’s a fabulous experience for them regardless of it being educational or not!

Pootle23 · 28/05/2023 22:44

You will probably find that less children are going once the money is asked for.

Personally I would say no and explain to DC that unfortunately it’s out of your price range for one member of the family.

I do think I’m the current economic climate it is a ridiculous amount!

Sainte · 28/05/2023 23:23

Far far far too much.
Definitely no need for this type of trip.

Many will be excluded or cause a burden to their families.
In my work, I hear children unable to attend the end of year Ball. All due to family finances.
Let’s return to education and leave these expensive experiences that cause dept and guilt in most families. I speak as someone who went on many many expensive school trips. A total waste of money that my parents saved hard for.
Shame on the schools for differential treatment to those who can’t afford this extravagance.

mid the school want the children to have this experience, let the school pay!!!
Im fuming this is being encouraged.

Sugarfree23 · 28/05/2023 23:34

@Sainte so you got to go on many many school trips but you want to deny the current generation of kids the chance to do school trips. I'm sorry you feel that money and experience was wasted on you.

I got one 3 day trip in primary, and one ski trip with secondary.

vinoandbrie · 28/05/2023 23:39

Eldest DD (year 8) has a five night ski trip to Italy this Christmas, for £1,800-£1,850, flight costs depending.

I am happy to pay as she has had so few trips due to Covid.

However, she is at boarding school. If she were at a state school I’d raise my eyebrows, as it would potentially be out of kilter with what the majority could reasonably afford.

CelestiaNoctis · 28/05/2023 23:46

Nah take them elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. That cost doesn't include equipment, food etc

Sugarfree23 · 28/05/2023 23:51

CelestiaNoctis · 28/05/2023 23:46

Nah take them elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. That cost doesn't include equipment, food etc

I would fully expect that cost to cover travel, accommodation, food, skipass, lessons, and ski & boot hire.
The only extra should be clothing.

Buggersticks · 29/05/2023 00:12

Why Canada? Folks ski plenty in Europe. Surely much cheaper!?

Kgiggl3s · 29/05/2023 02:22

I was in secondary school from 2003 to 2008. This type of trip existed back then. It isn't a new thing. Unfortunately only some families can afford it but that is life and there are other opportunities for those who need somethjng which costs less. School are simply providing the opportunity. Some of my friends were able to go and some weren't.

I never resented the fact I didn't go on this trip - it never crossed my mind to. Mum simply said sorry can't afford it and that was that. 🤷‍♀️

Tastyspot · 29/05/2023 10:01

What about the extras on top of the 1800 like spending money etc very dear to me

Lindyloo23 · 29/05/2023 10:04

I think IF you can afford it ask to pay bit by bit.
But that’s a lot of money. Not for Canada but for a school trip.
I think a good lesson for your son is to say that he has to get a job to contribute to it and then give him some back for spending money.
I remember my parents doing this for me when I was 14 and I worked my butt off during the summer holidays.
He could clean cars, pet sit or feeding, garden help, numerous things. Then he will also realise how hard it is to pay for as this is a big ask in the current market.
I do think the teachers have chosen this as something they want to do though.

Imaginemissmarple · 29/05/2023 10:39

FWIW - my parents faced a similar dilemma when I was at school, more than 30:years ago and all my friends went and I wasn’t able to go. Three years later my sister got offered same opportunity and because I was working and paying them dig money (decent dig money), they could afford for her to go. My mum felt it was unfair as I hadn’t been able to go but I stepped in and said I wanted my sister to go. To this day, I wish I had been allowed to go…..

Airspice · 29/05/2023 10:42

Our school (state school) are doing a trip to Costa Rica for £4,700!!!!!!!!! Never in a million years. Our school ski trip to France is £1,200!! Luckily neither of my teens are remotely interested in either, phew!!!

Ohgollymolly · 29/05/2023 11:01

I’d let her go. These trips are such an amazing opportunity. I’d perhaps say that any birthday/Christmas presents would perhaps go toward the trip and/or things she might need for it.

These sorts of trips are where relationships and memories are made.

Sainte · 29/05/2023 11:12

Some households are existing on that type of money for any weeks.

As I said previously I was privileged to go on many expensive school trips. My family thought I should benefit from them so they truly scrimped and saved to pay for the trip. As a child I knew it was a treat and some of the class didn’t go. Only now as an adult do I realise the extent of my parents sacrifice.

Schools should not offer these trips and the Parents Association are there for the benefit of the children.

Owl55 · 29/05/2023 11:17

I really think schools should try and provide cheaper trips as well as the expensive skiing holidays . These school trips are expensive because staff don’t usually pay as they are volunteers and are giving up their time and need enough staff to safely supervise the pupils .

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