16 children not going on year 6 residential

[Restorer]

Out of a year group of 40ish.

School doesn't know "reasons" for them not going, but it's likely IMO that most is down to cost. Some will be because they/their parents didn't want to be away from home.

The yr6 teacher, who will be at school with the 16, is planning activities for the week. She feels sad that these children are missing out on "experiences" and wants to do something everyday for the week. So far has arranged for them to go swimming at the local comp (free) a day at an outdoor activity centre (£32 each, plus transport) bowling (£5?)and a session at the local Wildlife Trust reserve (£4.50 plus transport)

The parents haven't been told anything about this yet, but AIBU to think that if you'd had to say no to residential because of the (£230) cost, you'd be annoyed/upset at the request for money for all these activities while the others were away?

The teacher means well and I support entirely the desire to provide experiences and fun for these children who are missing out, but I don't think she has any idea just how much £50 is to some families.

If you agree, do you have any ideas for ways to provide fun and experiences more cheaply?

[LillyPickle]

I have messaged you, Restorer.

[pussycatwillum]

I actually used to work at an outdoor activity centre that did school residentials, so I'm coming at it from a different perspective, but I strongly believe that these trips are incredibly valuable for children: they challenge themselves, learn new things, build relationships with peers and teachers, gain independence, and most importantly HAVE FUN!
I can understand this viewpoint, but does it have to happen at Junior school? My DS refused to go on the Year 6 trip simply because the teacher in charge was horrible and he didn't want to spend a whole week with her. The slightly less horrible teacher was organising the ones who stayed behind. He didn't go on all the activities for children left behind because he had a hospital appointment so I deducted what I thought was about the cost of that day's activities from my 'vountary contribution' and no one said anything.
He went on to do a lot of adventurous things as he got older and I don't think he lost out at all by waiting until he was ready to do them.

[SwishSwoshSwoosh]

PCW - was talking along similar lines here after reading this thread, I do feel these experiences have got younger and I am to sure what is the rationale.

[SwishSwoshSwoosh]

Not sure, not to sure!

[piprabbit]

I've been thinking about the 16 children who aren't going away, and I think that the school could let them stage some sort of 'school takeover' event throughout the week:

So, plan one day's school dinners. Help with some preparation and cooking if possible.
Vote so that one child a day becomes the HT (or shadows them).
Get them to plan and run a PE class for another year group (with supervision of course), so that the get to teach them a new game.
Ask them to keep a video diary of their week.
Write a school newspaper for the week.
Give them an assembly slot where they get to choose the topic and prepare and deliver the assembly.
Let them plan and run a charity tuckshop/bring and buy/sponsored event - maybe even split them into smaller teams to see who raises the most money.

Basically make them feel very mature and sensible, take their ideas seriously and give them chances to try new things out in school.

[SirChenjin]

That's a great idea Piprabbit

[chocolatespiders]

my dd did a space week at school when not on trip and an apprentice based thing making cookies in groups and selling them in school after advertising etc

[matchpoint]

pussycatwillum Fair enough. I suppose it was slightly extreme of me to imply that children who don't go on a primary school residential will never challenge themselves in their lives, ever.

I don't see why going on a residential trip with school should be restricted to secondary school children though.

[hope4455]

My kids have a school trip to London this year - both want to go cost £400 each. My ex would contribute so they couldnt go.
My eldest also has another school trip this year £85 for the wk. She is going to this.
If the school were putting on trips during the wk away that amount to £50 £100 in my case i would b able to afford it.
I have a limited supply of money and that is it.

[Hulababy]

I definitely don't think Y6 is too young for a residential at an activity place. DD is going to one next week and can't wait. She would hate to miss out on it, especially if she thought it was because some adults felt they were too young.

In Y5 DD had a residential in France for 3 nights; again something she and her classmates loved and talk about a whole year later.

In Y3 and Y4 they also have 3 night residentials at Centre Parcs - CP because it worked out cheaper than the school residential places such as PGL. Every child went and DD came back raving about it. I was nervous as she had only just turned 8y - but there was no need.

At DD's school there is also a 2 night weekend residential from age 8y - it's very local and less expensive - think about £80? - and again, great times had.

I like that DD gets these chances, but I am aware that we are very fortunate to be able to afford them all.

[hope4455]

should of said wouldn't

[morethanpotatoprints]

None of my dc have never been/ will go on a school residential, especially an outward bound centre.
I don't think it is safe and also don't think teachers nor the employees of the centres are suitably qualified to look after dc outside of their own working environment. Every year a child/more than one child are killed whilst on a school trip/outing or holiday and my dc are not going to be another statistic. I can also take them away myself for less money and abroad, without risking them breaking bones.

[exoticfruits]

What a shame for them, morethanpotatoprints.

[eminemmerdale]

Blimey - yes that is sad. I used to be a youth worker and we took some seriously damaged young people on very 'outward bound' residentials over several years. The staff on these things are incredible! I wouldn't blink at any of my dc going anywhere if we could afford them all - having been to so many myself.

[morethanpotatoprints]

exotic

My dd dances and plays 4 instruments. There is no way SHE would risk any injuries. Ds's represented county in their particular sport, neither would they want injuries. We could go on holiday cheaper, they serve no purpose and they don't feel like they missed out. I am happy because I don't trust the staff or teachers I'm afraid.

[exoticfruits]

My DS won a bursary to one for a week- he had a wonderful time.
I think it such a shame when parents hold their DCs back and then claim they are doing it for the best . Going away with the Scouts, Guides, doing Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme etc are wonderful experiences for DCs - something they would all get to do in an ideal world.

[Hulababy]

Maybe your children would be better off not being at school at all if you have no trust in their teachers.

I think it is a huge shame that you have such a lack of trust in qualified members of staff being able to keep your children safe.

Yes - there have been accidents and even sadly deaths. In these cases, how often is the teacher negligent in their care?

Sadly children die far more frequently from things like being in a car, crossing a road, etc - do you protect your children from these far greater risks?

[exoticfruits]

I know DCs who played instruments to a high level, they now play professionally as adults all over the world- I also know several who played sport for the county and they didn't miss out because of parents who held them back.

[exoticfruits]

People hop in the car without a thought- the risk of death is high- far, far higher than the risk at an outdoor adventure place. In the latter it would be so unusual to be top news whereas a car fatality is so common it would be local news only unless a huge pile up, or derailing a train or something out of the ordinary.

[eminemmerdale]

just...blimey - I agree, why send them to school at all??? What about team work? bonding? learning to be away from home? Ok team sports are good for two of those but I find that all quite disturbing. Maybe it's just me- having seen some youngsters who have started the week away with hideous issues coming home full of pride in their achievements. And the care and committment of centre staff - they don't just wander into the job off the streets!!

[morethanpotatoprints]

exotic.

At least none of my dc will be a statistic and dd doesn't go to school anymore. Any broken bones would have meant 6 weeks off sport, music or dancing. As the residential is around music exam time, auditions, trials etc. We don't regret it and neither did the dc, they were happy taking the week off. There were plenty of other things they did with their friends in their final year. How were they held back? and held back from what? Please don't say team building, or extending outside comfort zone as my dc had gained these skills during pre school

[morethanpotatoprints]

eminemmerdale.

My only dc to still be of school age doesn't attend school, my much older ds's did.

[exoticfruits]

I think some people lose the ability to risk assess- the risk of getting injured in the parent's car on the way to a music lesson is far higher than the risk at an Outward Bound Course. I wouldn't want mine to think 'the world is a scary place away from mother'!

[exoticfruits]

I have just injured my foot and been unable to do much for a month by misjudging one step in a friend's house!

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hulababy

I have a lot of respect and trust for teachers within a classroom. I have done both jobs, not outward bound but dc out of school. I know many teachers i wouldn't trust outside of the classroom and many centre workers who shouldn't have been in the job. Ime teachers aren't trained nor qualified to care for dc out of the classroom environment.