to not let five-year-old child go on school trip into central London

[Blueflowers2011]

as title says, Year 1 (age 5 mostly) are going on a trip into London, which consists of 30 children and supervising adults travelling on 1 rail train, interchange to 1 underground tube train then a 20 min walk when they get to the other side to visit a shop.

A couple of parents are now saying they are not allowing their child to go which is also confirming my thoughts initially, which btw is mostly due to anything happening in London in general.

I have worked in London all my life and it's bad enough travelling on the tube everyday as an adult, let alone a 5 yr old child. Many parents also feel it's an unneccassary trip at this age just to visit a shop and how it works.

I encourage most things and experiences for my children but just feel this one is a bit too much for a 5 yr old. Am I worrying too much or should I just let them go?

I wouldn't want my daughter going either. Wouldn't have a problem going with her, us as a family...but 30 of them? Being chaperoned by how many adults? Meh no thanks.

If children don't go on a school trip, what happens to them at school?

I don't think a trip to Hamleys is particularly great, especially when the Museum of Childhood is so much better, but I think it's good to be seen to support the school...

whether their PFBs should be allowed to go into the countryside by public transport and then have to mix with lots of unknowns - mud, grass etc etc, MN would rightly tell them to get a life

Not me. I've seen the Wicker Man too many times. I don't trust anywhere without street lighting and a branch of Tesco Metro.

I understand that you are feeling anxious but you really must not let this limit your child's access to perfectly normal and safe school trips. There will be lots of helpers, and staff at stations at either end on the platform to make sure that the tube doesn't pull out until everyone is on/off safely. I have taught in schools for over 20 years and have never ever heard of a child being left behind or injured on public transport. I also think that if it is fear of terrorism that therapy might be helpful - I have anxiety as well but I know this is MY problem and try not to let it limit what my children can do.

I wouldn't

don't trust anywhere without street lighting and a branch of Tesco Metro.

Or anywhere that's not on the tube

I have five year old twins and they are so hard to watch, dawdle all the time, run off without telling me. I wouldn't let them go on the tube to London, I'd worry theyd get lost in the crowd or left behind when the doors shut etc. But I live no where near London and am not used to it anymore, and it would never happen. I would be fine taking them on the tube myself, but I'd worry they could get lost by someone looking after four five year olds.

I would worry about terrorism a bit also. I know Londoners just get on with it and day to day it's extremely unlikely that you would get caught up in it. But it's more likely to happen in London than a small rural town. Like if you hardly ever fly you find flying more worrying than an air steward!