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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Who is being unreasonable re: school trip incident?

33 replies

olddogsnewtricks · 22/03/2018 12:38

DS (13) recently went on a school trip to a city about 2 hours away. While on the trip, the children were given half an hour's free time in the city centre on their own (a pedestrianised area) with the teachers waiting at a nearby café. Unfortunately, during this time one of the boys had his wallet stolen - this was spotted by a police officer who gave chase, got it back and arrested the thief. Obviously this was the highlight of the trip. Grin Now the parents are divided on this. Half think it was an unfortunate incident but could just as well have happened walking back home from school (also in a city). The other half think that on a school trip the pupils should never be left alone. WIBU?

OP posts:
HollyBayTree · 22/03/2018 12:40

On the assumption that 99.99% of 13 year olds are capable of walking down the street to and from school etc, it's one of those things. Exactly how would a teacher standing vaguely in the vicinity stop a pick pocket? it wouldn't.

unfortunateevents · 22/03/2018 12:41

How would the presence of teachers have prevented the wallet being stolen in the first place? Unless the ratio was 1-2-1 teacher to pupil surely the wallet would still have been lifted?

thecatsthecats · 22/03/2018 12:42

At that age, I remember geography trips mostly consisting of us wandering around surveying disinterested adults, before making up the results, then bunking off to the shops.

As you say, worse can happen on the way to school - my boyfriend was mugged twice, and accidentally walked into a murder scene on his lovely walks to school.

ItchySeveredFoot · 22/03/2018 12:42

Even a police officer in the vicinity didn't stop the would be theif having a go! The parents who are upset are probably the same ones that drive their darlings 5 minutes to school.

AjasLipstick · 22/03/2018 12:43

Do these people really not allow 13 year olds to visit town with their mates? Confused What the hell happens to those kids in 4 years when they have to look at universities!?

How do they manage?

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 22/03/2018 12:43

I got robbed INFRONT of my teacher on a school trip to France! It's one of those things.

winefortea · 22/03/2018 12:45

thecatsthecats - Grin - that's exactly how I remember them too!

I think at 13 they should be allowed a little independence so would not have worried about 30 mins unsupervised in a pedestrian area.

Forgottencoffee · 22/03/2018 12:45

I don't see how the teachers being there would have prevented this from happening.

At a similar age I went on a school trip to London for 2 nights and loved the unsupervised time, I felt grown up with a bit of responsibility.

QuiteLikely5 · 22/03/2018 12:47

Fgs the teacher could not have prevented the robbery

So it makes no difference

If I was a teacher and witnessed this I would definitely not risk my own safety

Maybe I’m just evil though Smile

iMatter · 22/03/2018 12:47

At 13 surely they all make their own way to and from school, go to town with their mates etc?

RavenWings · 22/03/2018 12:47

Shit happens, unfortunately. That kid could be mugged walking to school. I think it's important to give the kids that bit of independence.

Besides, if a teacher was there the child could still be mugged - what exactly are they expecting the teacher to do about it? Flying tackle a pickpocket or something?

Trinity66 · 22/03/2018 12:48

An unfortunate incident, at 13 they should be able to walk round a pedestrianised area

Ohyesiam · 22/03/2018 12:51

If 13 year olds can’t be left to their own devices, something is badly wrong.

GoldenHefalump · 22/03/2018 12:52

I'd probably be cross if it was a particularly awful area, well known for being rough/dangerous as I wouldn't think it suitable to dump teens in the middle of it and leave them to their own devices. Other than that, it's just bad luck.

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 22/03/2018 12:58

At 13 a child should be able to be left on their own for half an hour! My son is going to Euro Disney next week and it appears they'll be allowed to do what they like for 3 hours at a time. He knows how to keep himself and his belongings as safe as possible but also knows not to stress if something happens.

Trinity66 · 22/03/2018 13:00

At 13 a child should be able to be left on their own for half an hour! My son is going to Euro Disney next week and it appears they'll be allowed to do what they like for 3 hours at a time. He knows how to keep himself and his belongings as safe as possible but also knows not to stress if something happens.

Well you're not doing them any favours to babying them at that age I think, this is one they're preparing for real life, and being allowed "off the lead" for short periods of time like that is vital I think

Trinity66 · 22/03/2018 13:00

this is when*

MrsJoshDun · 22/03/2018 13:01

Parents are idiots if they think a 13yo can't be let out of sight. At that age dd was on a school trip to Munich and they were allowed off in groups of 3 or more

Dahlietta · 22/03/2018 13:04

It's pretty standard practice on school trips at that age to allow 'remote supervision' i.e. you must stay in groups of at least 3; you know where the staff are and how to contact them; you have regular check-in times with staff.

Thistlebelle · 22/03/2018 13:06

It was an unfortunate incident obviously but the average thirteen year old should be able to manage a few hours alone without supervision.

At 13 I was getting a train into a big city 45 minutes away and spending the day going round the shops with a friend. No mobile phones either.

Original poster
olddogsnewtricks · 22/03/2018 13:08

Thanks for your thoughts - for the record, I agree!

Do these people really not allow 13 year olds to visit town with their mates?

I think that's the problem - it's come to light that some parents just don't!

OP posts:
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/03/2018 13:10

yep, one of those things, my boys both went a foreign trip at 12/13 and got time of (a couple of hours I think) to wander round in groups and buy vast quantities of chocolate and/or chips and mayo! It's an important part of these trips for them to get independance.

LoniceraJaponica · 22/03/2018 13:11

I suspect these are the type of parents who blame anything that happens on other people all the time. Nothing is ever their fault. If they kick up a stink it will result in the school banning any future trips. They will end up spoiling it for everyone else.

WaxOnFeckOff · 22/03/2018 13:13

At 13 I was getting a train into a big city 45 minutes away and spending the day going round the shops with a friend. No mobile phones either.

I'm an old duffer, I was doing similar but on the bus at age 9/10, similarly also going into town for the cinema and to the swimming pool and museum.

By 13 I would go away to visit my sister for a week during the school holidays and this meant taking two trains (and changing stations in Glasgow) getting off the train and walking for two miles to the next village.

Biddie191 · 22/03/2018 13:18

Thecatsthecats - a murder scene???? Do tell!!!!
Sounds like just bad luck (the wallet, not the murder....)

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