Teacher's family accompanying school trip

[Trifle]

DS1 (age 13) went on a school trip today to the zoo. One of the 6 teachers accompanying the 104 children on the trip took his wife and two young children.

Does anyone know what the legal ratio of teachers to children is for this age?

I think it is highly unprofessional to do this as the teacher spent the majority of time with his family and not supervising the children.

If the ratio is 1:17 then he should have been acting as a teacher first and foremost. If it is 1:20 then, fine, but really, a day off at the zoo just because a school trip happens to be going somewhere fun for his kids.

I'm pretty peeved at this as I had to pay for the trip and wonder if I am paying for his family too.

What would you do ?

[gobbynorthernbird]

littlemiss, that's fair enough. What I am saying is that on most jobs which involve traveling, the family can go. If the family can't go for practical reasons, then they stay at home, but it doesn't mean that they don't have the option.

[thebody]

I am in awe of teachers doing this at no extra pay. the responsibility is massive and in my dds case cost her teacher his life.

shame on you criticising.

[viewwitharoom]

Maybe he needed his wife to come to have sufficient accompanying adults as the other teachers in the school are sick of parents moaning about every detail of the previous trips and have decided its more hassle than its worth to be involved in any more...just a guess mind!

[Caitycat]

I don't know how much you imagine teachers are paid but yes I would say it is reasonable to assume that two working parents in professional jobs would be able to afford to pay for one adult and two children to go to South Africa if they chose to do so. Dh and I both earn that sort of amount and could afford to if we wanted to, probably not another long haul holiday as well but we might consider that trip enough. And I have accompanied dh who is not a teacher abroad at our own expense when he is working from time to time. I don't see him during the day but I'm a grown up and can amuse myself (and dd if we decide to do it again) without his help.

[sunnybobs]

What happened to the idea of schools as a family community? My DH & I are both teachers, met at school, got married to the delight of the pupils - took an extra wedding cake in for our forms who referred to each other as sibling forms for years. I took my babies in to see my form after mat leave, our first post baby date was to the Yr 11 prom to say bye to some fabulous young people. Now moved to different school & see more lovely young people at church, in shops & on streets etc. Schools are constantly stressing their community & family ethos but its not often truly lived out. As long as no student is ever at risk or overlooked & the teachers remain professional in all they do what's the issue? Surely this is a sign of a family connected to the school, supportive of the teachers career & students etc? My dad who was not a teacher did sometimes take us into the office & it was always fun though probably not work related. I'm genuinely confused as to what the problem with this teacher on trip is!

[Lottiedoubtie]

OP, specifically what do you feel the teacher should have done but didn't?

Practically, how was your DC disadvantaged? Or is it just an 'on principle' thing.


And the idea that an independent school teacher couldn't afford a trip to SA is depressing. And fortunately for me and my family untrue.

[Crowler]

Professionally grumpy OP.

[sonlypuppyfat]

Now usually I don't have much time for teachers but for pitys sake he's 13 he's not going to climb in with the lions is he.

[Bue]

Teachers must get paid a lot more than I thought if they can afford to pay for their wife and two children to accompany them to places like South Africa.

Yeah because as we all know, air travel in 2013 is the preserve of the elite and a middle income professional usually makes do with a week in Blackpool

[ohmymimi]

What would I do? I'd be grateful that my child had the opportunity to participate in out of school activities and that teachers were prepared to enable that, with or without their partners and children.

[Drinkprunesbutstaynexttotheloo]

Thebody, your experience was such an awful one and although thankfully rare, is at the back of your mind when accompanying children. Somehow it is an even bigger responsibility than looking after your own dcs.

[McNewPants2013]

I wouldn't go McNewPants because my DH is working 12 hour days, 6 days a week then has a secondary duty. I, also, have 2 children to consider.

I bet the children and you would love to stay with him for the weekend every few weeks, that if you could.

[judgejudithjudy]

yabu

[CaptChaos]

Oh dear.

What an utter bastard that teacher and his wife absolutely aren't.

Have a nice to go with being awarded my very first

Enjoy that, and then get over yourself.

[livinginwonderland]

YABVU.

My teachers often brought their spouses/kids on school trips. Normally because we needed a female/male adult there due to legal issues. No big deal. They always had to pay their own way, so what does it matter?

[WeileWeileWaile]

We had this happen a few times on residentials when I was in school - we used to bicker over who would entertain the little ones . I really have found memories of it, and it made our teachers seem a bit more human too - when we saw them as parents.

And to be honest, I don't think I would have been impressed with a trip to the zoo at 13.

[WorraLiberty]

Oh come on OP

No-one lost a tit or a testicle

Does it really matter?

[mrsjay]

what would I do I would do nothing these children are 13 not 5 and the ratio for teenagers is probably about 20 - 1 and the mans wife was there looking after his children are you really concerned about this why is it worrying you ?

[magnumicelolly]

I'm guessing that the OP has never volunteered to help out on a school trip of any kind herself. Doesn't strike me as the type!

[beatricequimby]

Is the worst thing that has ever happened to your dc at school?

Get a grip.

[mrsjay]

I think it matters to the OP because I think she thinks the wife and kids are getting freebies through the school especially on a nice trip to south africa and WATF south africa school cant be short of a bob or 2 maybe the teacher wangled afew extra tickets

[phantomnamechanger]

I actually know 2 teachers who GOT MARRIED on a school trip abroad. Stick that in yer pipe, OP. All the kids went to the ceremony.

Go on, bleat about the cheek of it, the fantastic "free honeymoon", forgetting they had 24/7 care of all those DC on their so called "holiday"

[WeileWeileWaile]

Ooh phantom - I can't imagine a worse honeymoon than one spent chaperoning a load of teenagers.