To Be P***** Off at yet another expensive school trip

[meah]

Hi, my ds has is now starting yr 9 & dd yr 8, in yr 7 a school trip was offered but cost was in the £300s (i forget exactly how much) being so expensive i couldn't afford it and it left both kids gutted when well over half of the kids in their yr got to go. ive just recieved another school trip email (not sure which yr not that it matters) offering a ski holiday trip, abroad for 6 nights for £680. which would be fantastic if i where loaded!! Why cant schools offer school trips that are affordable to all like they're supposed to instead of making those whos parents cant afford it feel left out!!!

I don't think school should offer optional trips that are effectively holidays.

Bertha, you want a semi private system within the state school system.

Where a higher income can buy some advantage in the state system.

I don't think that gives you any moral high ground.

I want rhe poorest children to be given the same opporttunity to succeed in state school as the children with wealthier parents at the same school.

I am alright thanks. I just dont want those who can't afford it not to be futher disadvantaged within the state system.

I think those saying I can afford the trips and want school to organise them rather than realise this should be outside school to ensure fairness within school, are actually the alright Jack ones.

Or you could have the fact that Mildred's parents all went skiing at Christmas so they have no money to send her with the school and they are saving up for next Christmas - so all the rest whose families have scraped up enough for one DC have to miss out because it isn't fair.

Why not Bonsoir? It was very useful for us when DC1 could go while the others were too young. He got a lot of it- far more than the skiing.

For the very reasons that cause so much upset on this thread.

There are plenty of organisations that offer holidays to children without their parents. If you want your children to go on holiday without you, use one of them.

You want the poorest families to be given the same opportunities - which means that you take them away from the better off - but it's OK for your DC because you have removed her from the system!!!

Or you could find a company that offers cheap group ski trips, as nice as skiing may be for your child, it's hardly the schools responsibility to organise her discount holidays.

If you can't afford even the cheap group ski trip then apparently it's tough luck and your child will be fine and learn to except that. Which I agree with in that instance, but not when a school is organising it.

Organise your own children's holidays an did if you can't afford it, apparently they'll live.

He was much happier going with friends, DCs he knew and familiar adults and all travelling together. I was certainly happier with it.

There is no removal of opportunities from anyone. I don't understand your point at all.

I think it's good for children to do things with unfamiliar adults and children, personally. I don't think school should have anything whatsoever to do with holidays.

I'm sure that private school pupils'parents would be thrilled to be told -organise your own DCs holidays - it isn't the schools responsibility? Or is there a different rule for them?

Fine Bonsoir - but across the board for all children regardless of education establishment.

This is not a state vs. private issue.

OP has had at least 11years to know that trips will be on offer - it isn't as if it comes as a surprise.

Schools don't need to be organising holidays, they are creating an unnecessary unfairness.

I agree with Bonsoir.

And to repeat, again, I have a child at a state comprehensive.

I would be happy if his school organised only trips that they knew they could subsidise for those who couldn't afford it, and I would even contribute more if asked to ensure all children could go.

Id rather my son did not go on trips organised by the school if other children are left out because their parents can't afford it. I genuinely would.

It is not because you are forewarned that you agree with school policy. You are allowed to feel pissed off in anticipation of idiocy and even more pissed off when in the thick of idiocy.

It wasn't until OhSiena started her posts on opportunities for privately educated pupils, but state ones have to stick to the lowest common denominator.

Think I best start saving for these trips lol

I would want to know far more about why they couldn't afford it. I would be a bit cheesed off to know that we don't have a smart car, the latest technology etc because we prefer to use the money for school trips - to find that they are not on offer because those who spend freely on other things can't afford it.

I was talking about the private sector exotic, providing tuition, sport, holidays as extras to that the state school offers. But that within a state school educational opportunities should be equal.

I mentioned I have one child in private school, as people ae swinging from calling me a communist to a privileged champagne swigger who wants all the plebs to never go abroad. I'm neither.

Well said soverylucky- I didn't go on a lot as a DC - it wasn't the big deal people are making it out to be.

Schools don't offer "school trips" in holiday times: rather, they act as brokers/agents for holiday companies and they get a cut. I think this is wrong anyway.

I don't think much of the argument that your DC in the private sector can have trips, music lessons etc etc and the one in the state sector gets no extras. I can't see any difference other than you are paying for the teaching.