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AIBU?

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Original poster

School trips which are only affordable to a minority of parents - just why?

266 replies

Mintyy · 01/10/2015 21:10

Why do schools do this?

If someone can explain, I am all ears!

I am talking about non-leafy state comprehensive schools here.

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 20:52

Well said BlueJug. All my children benefitted enormously from school trips.

BlueJug · 03/10/2015 20:53

Mehitabel6 - you put it better and more succinctly than I did!

(We don't do presents at all!)

Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 20:54

If people want to stop school trips perhaps we can all stop what we don't agree with!
I nominate whole class birthday parties!

BlueJug · 03/10/2015 20:57

Absolutely birthday parties - and not only whole class - they all get talked about for days in class and at playtime. Hate them. (Horrible if your child is not popular or socially awkward)

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:02

A birthday party for a child is more about the parent than that child now. The child just wants presents, its their birthday!

A school trip is more, yet again, about the parent throwing money at something that they dont actually want to do themselves in this ridiculous case. I agree with camping or a week at a place where it costs, say £250 pounds, all the kids bond well, no matter what the parents earn or not earn.

have a normal birthday party where the child gets gifts.
have a normal family holiday.

ISingSoprano · 03/10/2015 21:09

A school trip is more, yet again, about the parent throwing money at something that they dont actually want to do themselves

What an utterly crass thing to say. That may be your standard but it's not everyone's.

BlueJug · 03/10/2015 21:16

Even a simple birthday party with 25 kids and party bags at £3 each and food at £3 each and a picnic in the park so no venue hire is £150 without cake or present. - That's £300 in two years. Add a bit of birthday money instead of a present from granny or aunty who might give £15 x 2 x2 yrs and that's another £60. Money for Christmas as well - two years - no tat, no gadgets ...My DD did that. She has a few more relatives than just the two so she made the money up.

I realise it is still out of the reach of many, many kids but I would rather tackle poverty in other ways than ban school trips which give so much to some kids.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:17

You are the crass one surely ISingSoprano.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:18

I sing to heart or smooth myself Grin

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:21

Im not talking about banning school trips at all, Im saying there is a cap on the amount on how much they cost. A child of 11 should not expect a trip to the alps for a ski holiday. Nor should a child of 12 expect to go to Africa and play with the monkeys. Ridiculous.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 03/10/2015 21:23

The trips don't seem to offer as much of a group discount as you'd expect. Is that because half the parents are footing the cost of the others?

For example, DS1 has a day trip to France coming up. They're going on a coach, via the Tunnel. One trip to a supermarket, one to a touristy spot. Parents send them with ALL the food they'll need that day (I.e., packed lunch and dinner).

It costs £65! Where is that money going? There are about 100 kids going. It seems high.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:23

You are buying into what that ridiculous school is portraying Jug, they arent thinking about learning and the best for their pupils. The park is a fab source of information.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:25

Schools operate as "businesses" these days. Its all gloss, smoke and mirrors. ridiculous.

shebird · 03/10/2015 21:40

Some of the trip costs seem very high - I think the insurance has a lots to do with this. Do the kids also cover the teacher travel costs?

BlueJug · 03/10/2015 21:41

I am not buying into anything. We all choose how to spend our money. I am astounded at what some parents think their kids should have.

Me, I would always choose a trip rather than a new kitchen, one dinner in a good restaurant than a takeaway for a month. Ohters choose differently.

My DD wanted the chance to ski - and she loved it! Others take their kids to Disneyland or Alton Towers or buy expensive presents.

In the meantime - it is not looking good for England at Twickenham Sad

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:46

You would always choose a two week trip over a kitchen? are you for real? or are you making your kids aspire no matter what the cost Blue? could this be your downfall.

Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 21:48

Same here BlueJug - I wasn't 'buying' into anything. They have done it and I know how worthwhile it was.
It is personal choice. I think that some people's way of spending money is totally stupid, but they are entitled to spend it that way if they wish.

(The day trip to France is the cost of the coach- very expensive these days)

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:48

People have money or they dont.

A school that isnt private should never make a trip unaffordable.

Its simple.

Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 21:50

I can't see why it should be a downfall. You can simply say 'No' - I turned down a lot of trips for mine because we couldn't afford it.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:52

It is your downfall, kids like the park, they like something fun, they are not money oriented, parents are. These trips are ridiculous in a state school, whether it be catholic or C of E or state. Ridiculous.

Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 21:53

I can't understand why anyone would want school trips to be only for those who can afford private education- that really is unfair. Hmm

I can't see the problem. You don't like the way I spend my money, fulldutypaid - but I could look into your spending and say 'are you for real- why do you need that?' BUT I wouldn't - we are all free to spend as we choose.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:53

Private schools then whey hey, parents have the money so a ski holiday is fine.

Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 21:54

I sent them on trips precisely because we are not money orientated. They are now adults and not money orientated. They got once in a lifetime experiences.

fulldutypaid · 03/10/2015 21:56

when people that earn a lot of money get their kids into a church school and make it private, its not on! These schools were there to give others a start. If you have put your child into a private school without money then fool you.

Mehitabel6 · 03/10/2015 21:56

So children born with a silver spoon in their mouths can have it all?! Private education - expensive trips - but the rest of us have to know our place and it is not for our children? How weird.