The school does a residential trip each year for year fives. Dd1 brought home the letter for this with the details and costs (£250). I think this is a lot for a 4 night trip less than an hour away. I'm also not that impressed with their list of activities. Things like visits to a farm and a recycling centre are educational, but all things that could be done from here and don't really justify the money.
Ds went on the year 5 trip. It was cheaper than this one but I had less money at the time. He moved to the school the week before the payment was due. His Dad had died and we had to be rehoused by the council, hence the school move. Because of this I wanted him to fit in and so paid money I didn't have. The school were very pressurising about it, and I felt completely railroaded into it because it's what you're supposed to do. It was on the isle of wight so presumed the costs would be heavier to pay for the ferry. I was absolutely gutted when he came back to only talk of the posh hotel, 3 course meals and waiters. I have never stayed anywhere as classy myself. I thought he was exaggerating but it became obvious at their class assembly that this was what happened.
I told dd1 straightaway that she couldn't go on this trip. Of course she was disappointed but helpfully I'd just had an email from brownies detailing a 5 day camp with them. It's £145 and sounds much better, outdoor pursuits, cooking and cleaning for themselves, getting there on the train via London. The only problem is that if it's oversubscribed they'll draw a lottery, but that's life. Dd1 understands that it might not happen but I'm trying to send her.
2 days after the letter came out dd1 came home saying she'd been really embarrassed at school because they'd asked all the children to say if they were going or not. Dd1 and 1 other girl were the only ones to say no and were asked why, the other girl said she'd get homesick and dd1 said she didn't have enough money.
Except for now we've had a letter saying only 12 children have signed up, so the original poll was obviously wrong, presumably the other children hadn't discussed it with their parents. So now they're holding a meeting after school to do a presentation to explain why it's so important for them to go.
Possibly, they may help some with the funding, but I don't want help, I'm not totally skint, I just don't think on consideration that it's a fair use of family finances. If we need to repair the car for £250 then I can.
So, I want to go to this meeting, for 2 reasons. 1:I want the school to know that I actually do give a damn. 2:I'm concerned that some of the other parents, especially those whose eldest child it is, will end up being bullied into being told how great it will be for their child's independance when actually they can't afford it. I kind of just want to stand up and say no, she's not going and I don't feel bad about it. Just so that other people don't end up thinking that they'd better do it just so their child won't be the only one.