How important is a school residential?

[ResidentialWorth]

Can they do more harm than good? Well, I know they can- DC was injured on his Yr5 residential and denied medical treatment basically because he has SN. He's refused to go on all others since then.
He's now about to leave school (Yr9, not UK system) and wants to go on their leavers residential. However, I'm not sure... Obviously we said he could go, but it seems to be so badly organised it could be a recipe for disaster. They've planned one day's activity that he can't join in due to SN - he has to take a book and sit with the teacher on the side. They have to take breakfast and lunch with them for the whole trip. When something gets broken on the room, all have to share the cost. Phones will be allowed the whole time (although they've had to sign to say they won't take photos or film anyone if they haven't agreed) and there is no bed time.

Now we've found out all 8 boys 15-16 yrs old are sharing a room - one bathroom, 4 single beds one large double and a sofa bed. DS says teacher has said they have to sort the sleeping arrangements themselves, and no one is allowed to shower.

Honestly not sure this is a good idea, or is it a rite of passage?

ETA I'm clearly influenced by the previous fiasco of the residential, and am having difficulty deciding.

Not at all important. I value independence and teaching independence to children, but there is NO WAY I would allow a child to go on this trip, especially not a child with SEN. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Never went on a residential as a child and would have hated all the outdoorsy stuff.
As a teacher, taking kids on a residential is a thankless task which I did once and never again.

This whole thing makes me shudder! I'm a teacher and our residential are meticulously planned, risk assessed and checked to the absolutely nth degree. It sounds awful and the boys will be starving (and stinking!) I would do your best to convince him not to go...

The residential sounds badly organised but if he really wants to go I'd be pushing for a single bed for him. Especially as he's already been excluded from the actvity.

Personally I wouldn't be that fussed by the lack of showers as I've camped etc without for longer. But I did wash face, armpits, bottom with a bucket of water and a flannel. And I know not everyone would be OK washing at the sink. I'd seek clarification. Will they be swimming during the trip to count that as a wash?!

I try to avoid upf and food I'd take would be -

Pitta breads and / or crackers
Small individual tins of tuna
Peanut butter (is it allowed?)
Raisins / dried apricots / dried mango
Homemade flapjack
Apples

This got me through a week of lunches last year when I was backpacking!

I honestly can't imagine teen boys in 2026 washing in at a sink.
Its just not going to happen.

A best it will be half a can of lynx and of they will go.

Op how much would you be paying for this?

They're expecting some of the children to share beds, aren't allowed to shower and your son is being excluded from some actitivities due to SN?! This trip sounds terribly organised, a huge safeguarding issue and not inclusive at all!

I can't even imagine what sort of accommodation is set up with a mix of sofa beds, double beds and singles in one room.

It just doesn't sound suitable for anyone.

DC2 had an event at the weekend, judging from the reactions of the parents there, no it is not normal for kids here to share a bed on school trips! Nor to have to take their own food with them. DS is currently at the Lido with FIL unfortunately ill

.

Good to hear other parents are thinking its a bit weird too.

As I said I can't work out who the target client would be for a room like that.

1 double bed
1 sofa bed
4 singles.

It doesn't sound like it would suit a family, few families would want 4 single beds.

Its not really suitable for youth groups, its not right to ask kids to share beds.

It almost sounds like its set up for 2 couples and 2 kids each. But that's just weird!

The teacher whos organising doesn't have a stake in the accommodation do they?
Definitely something weird about it.

Of course it would suit a family?

If someone has 3 kids, they might book this instead of the usual double and 2 x single you bet a lot of.

If someone has 4 kids, there's a bed each... . Or 5 using the sofa bed. .
. or 6... Siblings can share the sofabed easily enough.

There just can't be many families with 4+ children, then add to the mix one shower.
Surely a big family would prefer 2 smaller rooms with a bathroom each.

Its just a weird set up that doesn't make much sense to me