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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Trips in Reception cancelled probably UR

72 replies

PrincesAndPrincess · 20/12/2018 11:30

My DD started reception this year. Her two older brothers are already at the school so I know what trips they offer as they’re the same year in year out.

It’s a two form entry school. The other class is doing all the normal trips. DDs class are doing none - we were told this at the Reception parents welcome evening, they said there are trips available for children in Class B but unfortunately Class A aren't doing any this year.

I can guess why. There’s a child in a wheelchair in DDs class and all of the trips they go on would be inaccessible for the DC in the chair.

This isn’t a criticism of that child, I know the mother and the child well and the DC is lovely with no behaviour issues and is friends with my DD. I just feel sad that my DD won’t get to go on a train or a boat or similar with her classmates like her brothers did.

Probably UR as I know if the school could accommodate the DC in the chair they would, and are obviously taking the approach of “it’s better that none do it than 1 be left out” and that’s great. I just feel sad.

Not sure what I'm asking.

OP posts:

Suziepoozie · 20/12/2018 12:45

It’s awful because actually they’re depriving that child of educational opportunities rather than finding accessible things to do. It’s discrimination and I would be interested to see what ofsted had to say, especially because they’re letting the other class go.

JacquesHammer · 20/12/2018 12:48

There are obviously some trips that can never be totally wheelchair accessible.

The result must be that the school find different trips.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 20/12/2018 12:49

They have to have a way, they can't just say 'don't get off here if you're disabled!'

I'm afraid that's exactly what happens. And if you can access the platform, you still have to book assistance in advance from the train staff to get on, and off at the other end.

Medicaltextbook · 20/12/2018 12:58

Totally unfair. Either arrange accessible trips or no one in the year group goes.

Avis7 · 20/12/2018 13:08

If that's why they aren't going on the trips, I would be taking my child out of the school, regardless of whether he or she uses a wheelchair. They're telling you they can't be arsed to adapt what they do to a pupil's needs. I very much doubt this is the only way they don't think about accessibility.

Raise hell, OP.

HauntedPencil · 20/12/2018 16:51

This seems like a really shite way to deal with it.

The obvious answer would be to search for alternative accessible trips everyone can enjoy together surely?

It sounds like a bonkers solution to me.

Cherries101 · 20/12/2018 16:54

It’s less likely to do with a child in a wheelchair and more likely to do with a child with learning or MH issues. You probably have no idea but there may be an epileptic or ASD child for which the school isn’t insured to take out.

VickyEadie · 20/12/2018 16:55

There's no reason why alternative trips for your DC's class cannot be arranged (and ones which would be better than the existing ones, by the look of it). The two classes do not need to do identical trips.

Sirzy · 20/12/2018 16:55

Why would the school not be insured to take them out? As long as they correctly risk assess then there is no reason not to!

SassitudeandSparkle · 20/12/2018 16:56

This seems really odd, I can't believe a school would send one class and not another as there is no way they can justify it.

DD's school used to arrange different transport for a wheelchair user as the usual coaches were not suitable, but no issues with the actual trip.

anniehm · 20/12/2018 17:02

I have just been with a friend who works on our local heritage railway by chance (after reading the initial post) he said that they have an accessible carriage and he was pretty sure all do now (or at least a ramp/hoist) a child can even be lifted on. The school are negligent in not finding alternatives

Mrshoneyneedsanewhat · 20/12/2018 17:03

Finding this very hard to believe! Not one parent complained when they were told one class would attend trips and the other wouldn’t? This has only come to light now? And the governors and SMT are all ok with this? Unless the school is run by idiots, there’s no way this has actually happened.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 20/12/2018 17:05

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I take it this wasn't the case with last year's reception classes?

I don' t believe the HD has the right just to refuse to discuss it.

MrsJayy · 20/12/2018 17:09

Mrshoney I am struggiling with it as well.

bookmum08 · 20/12/2018 17:22

I really hope it isn't true and that it is just a rumour.
The irony is that children of Reception age are very accepting and understanding of children who have disabilities. They would say something like "we didn't go on the train because Sarah can't get on the train in her wheelchair so we went to the bus station and the bus driver showed us the special ramp. It was soooo cool".

Tessabelle1 · 20/12/2018 17:35

Blatant discrimination and you should definitely complain to the school! Most companies are geared up to provide disabled access and if they're not practical they should arrange something that is suitable

Witchend · 20/12/2018 17:55

So how does that station serve any wheelchair using passenger? They have to have a way, they can't just say 'don't get off here if you're disabled!'
Actually some do. Disgraceful isn't it.

Barbie222 · 20/12/2018 17:58

Just ask why and don't speculate as it's very unfair to all concerned without the full facts. We have a trip fund which parents pay into at the start of the year. If parents don't pay, no trips are arranged for that class. It may be you have a lot of non payers, and nothing to do with this poor child at all.

Enidblyton1 · 20/12/2018 18:12

I can’t believe this has actually happened! Any school would have to be crazy to behave like this.

OP, double check you have your facts straight and then speak to the school. Why haven’t all the parents in the year already complained?! There are many trips suitable for reception aged children which are accessible to a child in a wheelchair.

Our Reception children visit the local market and a local farm to pick vegetables. Neither trip may sound particularly exciting to adults, but the children have a great time, learn a lot and no problem for wheelchairs (the farm has wheelchair friendly paths). Your teachers need to think of some different trips to include everyone.

SleepingStandingUp · 20/12/2018 18:31

You probably have no idea but there may be an epileptic or ASD child for which the school isn’t insured to take out then the school needs better insurance. Or thry just ask the parent to come. DS is on 24/7 o2 - so a controlled medicine and erm explosive. Until recently coaches had to display signs showing they carried it. The only reason I had to go in a recent school trip is because he's in nappies!! And even then thry just say oh you need to come or he can't, not were banning all school trips for free

Isleepinahedgefund · 20/12/2018 19:12

Ridiculous. My DD is at a 4 form intake school and there is a boy in her year who needs waking aids that amount to the same access issues as given by a wheelchair. There is another who couldn't walk far and had to use a buggy a lot of the time. They changed one school trip for the whole yeargroup, and luckily all the others were accessible.

I think your school have found the worst solution to this problem! It's so unfair on everyone involved. They haven't made any effort to accommodate the disabled girl's needs at all, and all the kids are missing out on the enrichment that school trips provides.

Queenofthedrivensnow · 20/12/2018 20:35

It's pretty shit for everyone including the girl in the wheelchair.
I went to school with 2 quite disabled pupils - don't recall them missing any trips and it was the 80's!

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