School trips

[eyore123]

DD has come back from school with letter about a school trip next year skiing - it's £1k for a week. This is a normal state school with children from mixed social backgrounds.

We are lucky that although we don't have money lying around, we could afford to send her. But she's only in year 7 and doesn't get pocket money or anything so can't save or get a job.

I said if she puts her birthday and Xmas money towards it instead of presents from us and relatives that would be about £200 for birthday and £200 for Xmas that would help as she will also want some spending money too. In reality I am sure I would still buy some birthday / Xmas presents like clothes etc
DH thinks that's too harsh?

I'm also annoyed as I wanted to go in a ski holiday next year for the first time and dh says it's too expensive as we have 3 dc, and they are finally old enough to try skiing.

As a teacher who has been on many ski trips and as an avid skier who goes with family every year, I personally do not think school trips are particularly good value for money. It is possible to get a decent family ski holiday for not a huge amount more. Book independently rather than through a company and go self catering, which tbh with small children is a better option for skiing (particularly if the weather is bad and you are holed up for a few days). As pps have said most students do not go on the school ski trip; they won't be missing out.

Thanks for the comments.

Just to clarify I'm not asking her to contribute because we can't afford it, more that it's get her to appreciate the value of what she is doing. I could afford it with out but I do appreciate that she is very lucky as we can and if it was educational value I would not dream of asking her to contribute, but it's not it's for fun, and she has two younger siblings who will also want to do things when they are older. Also she used to do an expensive hobby which she has stopped doing now she has started yr 7 and so actually we are better off that we used to be.

We still will go on a family holiday next year just won't try the skiing as well

Maybe she can save up more if she wants to go next time and these school trips do come again. I refused mine to go when she was in year 7 and she went last year in year 9 and she had more fun. Just like you said the siblings would want to do the same exactly what I’m going through at the moment the second one wants to go cause her sister went but I have told her she can go when she is in year 9 too not year 7.

That's cheap, it was £1400 here! We just recycled all those letters as do most parents (the school had 1100 students and only 21 went skiing!)

Ps it cost about £1500 for a long weekend in aviemore including ski school for them

Even with your update I think it’s mean to make her pay. I’d be surprised if she wants to go now if it means she has to go without Christmas and birthday presents. So you’ll probably have the outcome you were hoping for after all.