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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for a refund for a school trip?

63 replies

libertyboy · 24/05/2017 22:48

I have paid £130 for a two night school trip for my year 5 son.
He's had some problems with behaviour this year and last week was excluded for a day as he got angry with a teacher and kicked a chair. They said he couldn't go on the trip either which started today. I also said he couldn't go as the behaviour is at home too. It's been a week since the exclusion and nothing has been mentioned about a refund by me or the school as we have obviously been concentrating on tackling the problems he is having.
Do I ask about it? What's the etiquette?

OP posts:

Siwdmae · 24/05/2017 22:51

Phone, ask to speak to the organiser, say he's been told he can't go and request a refund. Don't mention that you have withdrawn him if they told him no first, it wasn't your decision, you're entitled to a refund of the majority bar the deposit, which is normally non-fund able. Find the original letter.

peukpokicuzo · 24/05/2017 22:51

Sorry I don't think you can get a refund. The costs of the trip in terms of the accommodation, coach hire etc etc will not be any less because of your ds not being there. There is no money available to refund you. It has already been spent and the school can't get a refund from the places they have spent it on.

whereiscaroline · 24/05/2017 22:52

If it was me, I would. That's a lot of money for a trip they have excluded him from. I probably would have asked beforehand though, and if they had said you wouldn't be refunded then I would have pushed for him to be allowed to go (sorry, I know that's not hugely helpful now!)

harderandharder2breathe · 24/05/2017 22:54

I wouldn't expect a refund tbh. The school probably won't get a refund themselves.

EweAreHere · 24/05/2017 22:55

I would ask for a refund.

If they refuse, politely explain that you will not be 'voluntarily contributing' for any more future school trips, pantomimes, in-school event days, swimming lessons, charity fundraisers for the school etc until you have recouped your £150.

IlsaLund · 24/05/2017 22:56

In our school it would have been made clear when you paid that if there were behaviour issues/exclusions the money would not be refunded.
We say this to the pupils and parents so everyone is absolutely clear.

The school will probably still have to pay for his place.

FlapAttack88 · 24/05/2017 22:57

I wouldn't expect a refund unless they managed to fill his space. Their costs aren't going to get less go travel or things this late notice most likely. The policy at our school is that if you're excluded from a trip fur to poor behaviour you don't get a refund unless someone can take your place

FlapAttack88 · 24/05/2017 22:58

I woukd ask if they managed to fill his space and if so wpuld ot be poss to get a refund please

BrightonBelleCat · 24/05/2017 23:00

You won't get a refund if it was a behaviour incident I doubt.

My dd couldn't go on a trip due to illness a couple of years ago. I got a refund because the school made the decision she was too unwell to go and they claimed through their insurance. I had to wait though.

TheSnowFairy · 24/05/2017 23:00

So his behaviour is so bad that the school refuse to take him on a trip and you want a refund?

Good luck with that

Wolfiefan · 24/05/2017 23:02

The school will have worked out a cost per head. They charge each child a fixed amount to cover their costs. If they refund you then they are out of pocket. Schools really can't afford that.
I would worry much more about the behaviour issues than lost money.

arethereanyleftatall · 24/05/2017 23:07

Ewe - that's a horrible attitude.
Schools aren't bottomless pits of money, and they (well at least my dc school does) do so well at offering extra experiences, but can only do so with support of parents.

Op - as others have said, you can ask the question, but if they've still had to pay for his place, it might be difficult to given you the money back.

38cody · 24/05/2017 23:14

Just ask - have a conversation.

pennypickle · 24/05/2017 23:15

The school will already have paid for the number of pupils. Its not their fault that your son cant behave himself. He has been excluded due to his own making. Not the schools fault. Sorry!

jannier · 24/05/2017 23:20

I paid £300 for a residential trip for my son he then broke his leg and couldn't go I couldn't get the money back as his space had en paid for the rooms/seats/ etc. I got back £25 or so which was entry tickets.

Floggingmolly · 24/05/2017 23:21

Why would they offer you a refund? . The school will have paid the money over already, and the (PGL?) certainly won't refund because his behaviour is considered so extreme that he'd be unsafe to take along. Why should they!?

Original poster

libertyboy · 24/05/2017 23:22

I should have explained more maybe about his problems but the post was more about the etiquette side of things.
Yes his behaviour was that bad they decided he couldn't go but his behaviour has been bad for a while, he has problems with anger which they've know about for at least a year and apart from a few meetings with me haven't done much to help. I took him to gp a year ago and have seen a specialist who didn't diagnose but spoke about ODD and wants him to have counselling which we're still waiting for. The school knows this too and have only really 'upped their game' since the exclusion, well, talked a good talk anyway.
They're an academy- I don't suppose that makes a difference with the finance side of things?

OP posts:

FlapAttack88 · 24/05/2017 23:22

ewe you sound like a delight

Wolfiefan · 24/05/2017 23:23

Whatever diagnosis he does or doesn't have the issue is his behaviour. Not your money!

TheMysteriousJackelope · 24/05/2017 23:24

Ask your DS's teacher who you need to contact about a refund.

Unfortunately it may not be possible. The school may have had to already pay for the trip and not have the funds to return money to you. I know when my DC signed up for trips it was pretty clear - after a certain date there are no refunds because the money had already been paid to the hotel, bus company, activity center. I know the school refused to take him, but that is because of his behavior, it wouldn't be safe to take a child on a trip if he won't obey instructions.

A child in my DC's class was thrown out of Space Camp by the Space Camp staff on the second of third day in for bad behavior. $350. No refund.

WildwestWind · 24/05/2017 23:26

jannier surely the school could have claimed on their insurance for your son
.

TheMysteriousJackelope · 24/05/2017 23:27

TBH given his history, they should have told you at the time of booking, that he wasn't allowed to go. To add to my previous post, I have also heard of children who weren't allowed to book places on trips because they wouldn't behave in class.

Definitely ask for the refund. This isn't etiquette, this is business. Just don't get stroppy with the person who has to tell you 'no' for reasons that are beyond their control. It doesn't sound like you would though.

Floggingmolly · 24/05/2017 23:27

Is it relevant that you consider the school hasn't done much to help his anger issues, op? What help would you expect them to provide?

TheSnowFairy · 24/05/2017 23:29

No difference for an academy. The place still needs to be paid for.

CatsRidingRollercoasters · 24/05/2017 23:34

I've organised and led many residentials (pgl and jca type things). I don't think you'll get a refund and I'm afraid I don't see why you should. The school will still have to pay the company.

On top of the price of his place there is also the cost of transport (coaches are very expensive). We usually divide the cost of the transport by the number of children going. Again, other than by asking all the other parents to chip in for your son's share, the school would be out of pocket.

I hope things get better for you, your son and the school. The situation sounds very difficult but I'm afraid yabu.

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