to post a friendly reminder about school residential trips?

[ErmNoNoNo]

Seems as good a time as any: lots of school posts (as always in AIBU), the wine is flowing (Friday) and the summer term is coming up (come on weather please)...

It seems every year that there are many parents that are genuinely shocked to find out that teacher and TAs who accompany the class on residential school visits do not get paid a single penny more than their normal wage.

Yes, we volunteer. Yes, we deal with all the tears. Yes, we are on duty 24 hours and sometimes get VERY little sleep. Yes, we deal with the vomit. Yes, we encourage and make sure they get the absolute best out of their time there. Yes, we deal with all medical issues even though, surprisingly we are not qualified. Yes, when its mid-week, we also have to go back into work the next day.

Yes... we would really, really appreciate it if you just say 'thank you', when you pick your child up at he end of it.

(all you REASONABLE parents, I know you do - but honestly, the amount of parents who think we get paid for this would shock you)

I think you're all saints.

I always say thank you for day trips.

You're right, Erm, but someone will pitch up to say it's a free holiday for the staff.

They volunteer, their choice. So I do not accept they can whinge about it.

But you do get paid your wage yes? Surely that's getting paid?

A free holiday for the staff? Crikey I hope no one does say that. A residential with school children is interesting and memorable but it is absolutely exhausting!

It really isn't that much of a choice though in some schools. If you are in a certain Year group then you are expected to go.

Wages are not usually seen as buying the employee for 24 hours a day!

Mrs Flannel, when it's a residential and so subject to being on call 24/24, what do you think that does to the hourly rate?!?!

lol: and there you go echt, your point proven right below!

I agree Janethegirl - I really do enjoy them, most of the time - although it does depend on the cohort.
However - please do consider that all residential (and actually, all day trips) completely depend on teachers, TAs and other adults VOLUNTEERING. If tomorrow, all teachers and TAs decided: 'fuck it', then no class trips and residential would exist at all.

I remember after the first residential I did, I slept pretty much solidly for a whole weekend

Even if you did get paid for the extra you should still be thanked. I thank any teacher I'm collecting a child from whether they are coming back from a school trip or leaving the class at the end of the day.

I thought teachers did get paid extra for going on residential trips, and that it was part of the amount we paid.

Gosh, well done for putting up with all those kids without getting anything extra for it. I think you should!

I think it's shocking there's no extra pay....some bonus or something should be offered.

I accept that I'm paid for the 10-11 hour days I normally put in, but not for 24 hours a day. 4 nights last week on school journey - one wet bed each night...

Also, we don't get any extra pay for the cost of the extra child care for our own children.

Thank you to all the parents of our two classes who met us off the coach with a bag of posh chocolates for each of us!

We've had parents telling us it'll be a nice holiday for us. A holiday with responsibility for 34 children 24 hours a day! Interesting way of looking at it.

I thank my children's teachers everytime I see them, just as people I help in work usually thank me. Basic manners surely, awful that some don't! It is laughable though that people think you should just be glad of the free trip - I imagine many teachers must dread these trips!!

I'd be happy if schools cancelled residential trips
They're so expensive & I always feel bad if my dcs can't go
£400 for one cold for four nights could take all of us away
But then maybe I'm in an expensive area?
Would love to know what people usually pay ?

I think the teachers t dd's school are saints, we had one leave today, gutted to see her go. To them, I know I'm just yet another parent, but to me, they are the people who do amazing things with my children and I can't thank them enough.

Don't go if you hate it so much

Sorry for one child

glittertits

I don't think they get a choice

I totally understand where you're coming from.

I'm a Brownie leader and do all that on a completely voluntary unpaid basis. In fact we usually pay for the privilege of taking other people's little darlings away on camps, sleepovers, and trips. I hope the teachers at my DD's school are grateful that I've broken them in for them when they take them away in a few months!

Most parents say thank you but some just grab their children and stalk off.

YANBU, and I certainly, as a parent, appreciate the work you put into these trips.

But I think the schools shoot themselves in the foot about this.

I have 3 dc at school, each did 2 residentials at primary, and now they are also doing residentials or extra-long day-trips at secondary.

Not once have any of the schools told us that the teachers are not being paid for the extra hours they put in on these trips. Of course the parents assume that the teachers are paid for the extra work. We have even assumed overtime or antisocial hours rates for some of it. After all, in other jobs you get paid for working extra hours.

I learned the truth from Mumsnet.

I went to school during a work to rule period in the 80s in Scotland. After my first year of high school we had nothing - no clubs (after school or lunchtime), no trips, no residentials, no holidays, no school shows or fairs - nothing. Parents' 'nights' were in school time too iirc and if your parents worked then tough.

In consequence I'm beyond grateful that any member of staff will take the time out of their own life to enrich my ds's.

Who said they hate it, glitter? Maybe you should reread the OP.