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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

No spaces left on school trip !

92 replies

fridaynight · 05/05/2017 12:09

Since starting school DS has always known that in year 4 he will go on a residential trip, DS1 and DS2 went and DS3 has been looking forward to this rite of passage.
So the school advertised the trip and then parents had to log on to pay deposit. Sunday night a reminder came out that Monday was the last day to sign up for a trip thats running next March 2018 When I logged on I couldn't find the trip, contacted the school who said ' you couldn't find it because the trip is full !' He can go on the waiting list.
I was shocked as at no point has there been any mention of a limited number of spaces. I just don't have the heart to tell him he's not on the trip, just feels so unfair. DS 2 and 3 would take this in their stride and I know stuff happens and kids have to live with it but DS3 is only young, just turned 8 ...he's super keen on school and is a sweetie, he feels things strongly and is very emotional. The school is enormous , there are 8 others on the waiting list, I know one of the other Mums and we are trying to think of a way forward. Any ideas on how to move forward with this one or AIBU ?

OP posts:

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 05/05/2017 12:13

Pop in and have a conversation with the Headteacher before it becomes a big deal for your DC. Find out why numbers are limited and what can be done as there are so many children wishing to attend who currently can't.
Are there more children than usual in his year group?

UppityHumpty · 05/05/2017 12:13

Offer to volunteer as chaperones so they can take more kids.

Lionking1981 · 05/05/2017 12:40

Our school does this too. I felt so sorry for ds's friend on the day of their residential stood alone on the playground watching his friends wheel their suitcases past. I don't think they should organise trips where there isn't spaces for all of them should they wish to go. I would definitely speak to them again. If he still can't get a place, I would be very tempted to take him out somewhere fun myself.

TeenAndTween · 05/05/2017 12:43

I think that is really bad for a primary school residential, especially with no prior indication that they couldn't take the whole year group.
I would try to arrange to see the head with the other parents of children who have missed out and try to find a resolution.

DameSquashalot · 05/05/2017 12:46

YANBU. I would always assume that a school trip is available to the whole class. I hope you manage to find a way for DS and his friends to go on the trip.

LIZS · 05/05/2017 12:47

How long ago were you asked to sign up? Was there ever any mention of first come, first served?

Maybe they expect a certain dropout rate and have had a shortfall in the past which this limit allows for.

thecatsarecrazy · 05/05/2017 12:47

They do this in year 5 at my sons school. My eldest wont be going because we don't know where we will be in October and I'm not in a position to to waist money.

EduCated · 05/05/2017 12:50

If it was limited spaces and first come first served that should have been made clear at the start. Also not a huge fan of first come first served based on deposit as it makes it harder for those who may need a little longer to get the cash together.

niknok69 · 05/05/2017 12:56

That is disgusting! Why would a primary school book a residential for not enough of the year group? I would not be happy.

Original poster

fridaynight · 05/05/2017 12:58

Ah Lionking thats poor kid, thats going to be us ..

OP posts:

LostPeppers · 05/05/2017 12:59

A primary residential trip with limited numbers???

I agree if there was a limited number of places, this should have been made VERY clear as well as how the pupils who would be going would be chosen. Our secondary does a draw on the ground that not everyone can at the deposit straight away.
Regardless of the way, it should have been made clear.

YY to going to see the HT and trying to find a way forward. It's not unusual that schools can add numbers to where ever they are staying if need be for example.

TheMysteriousJackelope · 05/05/2017 12:59

That is really poor. Presumably the residential trip is so the students can see what they have learned in the classroom in the real world or in through hands on activities. Not making it available to the entire year group means that some children are going to be missing out on valuable experiences that will help further their understanding of the material.

I would go in and ask why the limit is there. If it is chaperones, then offer for you or your DH or other relative to go as a chaperone. DSIL went as a chaperone for my DC's residential trip and had a great time with them. Some grandparents went as other chaperones. If it is accommodation, ask if you can take your DS to stay in a nearby hotel and join in with the activities during the day like a day camp.

spiderlight · 05/05/2017 13:00

That's very unfair! They should at least have let you know from the outset that it was first come, first served. I hope you manage to sort something out for him. Poor lad :(

LostPeppers · 05/05/2017 13:00

Oh have a word too about possible children dropping out too.
We've had that issue in secondary where DC couldn't go to xxx trio but quite a few children decide not to go in the end so there was more spaces to those who were told no in the first place.

Worth asking IMO.

AnathemaPulsifer · 05/05/2017 13:03

That's awful. I would lobby the head to increase numbers if there is any conceivable way. Otherwise I'd keep him out of school while they're away and do something lovely.

Widehorizen · 05/05/2017 13:04

I'm sorry your DS will be disappointed, but if you leave things to the last minute, you need to be prepared for this to be the outcome.

If parents are unable to pay the deposit immediately for whatever reason, they need to contact the school ASAP.

...should probably say that I have a family member (adult) who is just terrible for doing this, she always either misses out on things, or ends up paying twice as much as others who got their acts together sooner.

Its always someone else's fault too

paxillin · 05/05/2017 13:07

But last minute or not, the school clearly planned to disappoint some kids. I would try with the HT, such a trip should be for all or none.

kali110 · 05/05/2017 13:09

Agree above, you waited till the last minute and now they're full.
It's sad for him.
Ask to chaperone if you can maybe he could go then.

mylaptopismylapdog · 05/05/2017 13:14

Widehorizon Op has had two children go on the trip so seems that the school has not signaled that places are limited this time!

ChunkyHare · 05/05/2017 13:15

Our school has 92 children in each year, so a residential trip has to be able to accommodate a lot of children and adults. We usually hire out a youth hostel, the whole thing

I would book to see the headteacher to see what they suggest for those on the waiting list to be able to go too.

CotswoldStrife · 05/05/2017 13:15

Meh, fault on both sides here I think - yes, I do think the school should have let you know that there was a limited number of places but also leaving it to the last minute is not a good idea.

I would speak to the school to see:-

if this situation has arisen before, and if so did the people on the wait list get to go in the end?

is it that the residential only has a set number of places or is it down to the supervision requirements/coach numbers?

Also, I would let him know because if one of the teachers mentions it he will be so upset that you didn't tell him

I hope it works out that he can go!

melj1213 · 05/05/2017 13:15

I'm sorry your DS will be disappointed, but if you leave things to the last minute, you need to be prepared for this to be the outcome.

Did you read the OP?

OP clearly said that she had gone to register her child within the deadline and with no previous indication of there being limited spaces or that it was first come, first served. That is not "last minute" or dusorganised,

If I get paid on the 1st and have until the 10th to pay a bill, it is not "last minute" for me to pay it on the 9th, as long as it is done before the deadline there should be no penalty.

Hillarious · 05/05/2017 13:16

That is so unfair for a primary residential to have limited spaces. It's a big deal for them at that age. Our school encouraged all to go, arranged for it to be relatively local, so parents of nervous children could collect them if there were any on-going issues (which there rarely were) and there were cake sales throughout the year to help out any families unable to afford the trip. The school shouldn't organise a trip like this without ensuring it's going to be available to all those who want to go.

isupposeitsverynice · 05/05/2017 13:19

Our school always has limited places on residentials. It's a big primary with three classes per year, so it's understandable, but it is always abundantly clear from the very beginning that there are limited spaces allocated on a first come, first served basis, so the children always know there's a chance they won't get to go. They also do a residential for each year group so anyone who didn't get to go is prioritised the following year. I think it's really unfair that your school didn't make it clear from the beginning that spaces were limited.

domesticgoddesshaha · 05/05/2017 13:21

This seema unfair to me because :

they should have made it clear how many spaces there were
first come first served is not fair on those who cannot instantly lay their hands on the deposit cash.

I would complain to the school, and point out the unfairness. When this happened at our school all deposits were taken and they drew lots. Some were still disappointed but at least it was a fairer way to do it.

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