To think primary schools shouldn't run residential trips?

[orangejuiced]

I dont see what purpose they serve. From reading threads on here, they dont seem popular with teachers (having to look after kids 24 hours a day, no extra pay), they are very expensive to parents (in hundreds of pounds) and potentially children feel left out or excluded if they aren't comfortable to go or parents cant afford it.

An a level geography course maybe requires a field trip, but primary children dont need to do expensive outdoor pursuits as part of their curriculum. I never went on one until age 13 and I'm perfectly independent as an adult . Aibu, am I missing something?

Nb my kids school does them every year from year 3

I think you are a bit U. Although I think Year 3 is too young. Personally I think Year 5 is the youngest they should be.

To my mind the top benefits are:

• The children grow in independence

*They get to try new things and have more immersive experiences - a lot of the outdoor centre type stuff really needs a full day to get the most out of it, and with journey time it you just couldn't fit it into one day.

• It's fun! The memories last a lifetime!

• The teachers don't hate it that much ;-) If you've a really difficult year group then yes it can be a nightmare, but mostly it's quite fun for everyone!

Oh and the school I know best has a fund to ensure that every child can go.

My kids loved their PGL trips along with all their friends. The teachers at their school couldn’t wait to have Year 6 and take them, the head and deputy head also went- they were big kids!

The kids learnt so much about teamwork, resilience, cooperation, planing, preparation etc plus got to do many activities they had never experienced before. Worth every penny in our case!

They serve a really important purpose in terms of promoting independence, resilience etc. Schools do need to consider how they will support pupils who can’t afford to go however.

I can see how such trips could prove less popular with some primary school staff, as there's a smaller pool of volunteers.

I remember my DD went on overnighters in Years 5 and 6, which seems about right, and they were only one night, and costs were kept right down.

I would second what posters have said upthread about promoting independence. Here in Australia, they are a thing, and every year group in every school I know of has an annual non-curriculum camp. They make some of the happiest memories for so many children. Every effort is made to keep costs down, so no ski-ing trips any more. Bushwalking instead.

My kids absolutely loved theirs, and still talk about them years on. It also helps prepare them for going on bigger trips when they’re older.

The kids generally enjoy themselves and form friendships that they didn't form in school.

There will always be quite a few kids who can't go and the reasons aren't always financial.

Ours only do one in Primary 7 (final year of primary). It costs about £120 for 5 days and those eligible for free school meals get a highly discounted price. Ds met people there that ended up at his high school so it helped broaden his friendship group. Both dd and ds enjoyed the outdoor activities offered too

They work really well for kids who come from problematic homes. The sense of routine, safety, boundaries, reliable meal times and being with their teachers when they’re mure relaxed. Those kids really shine on residentials.

Dc is going on a residential next week in year 6. She’s independent, knows what she needs to take and is more hygienically aware than when she went in year 4. Looking back year 4 is too young to go on a trip. She came back sunburnt and dirty from 1 shower in 3 days, when they were outside gettting muddy all the time. Her hair was like a fuzz ball from lack of brushing. I won’t be sending my younger ones on residentials in year 4.

I think they are good. Both my kids, benefitted from them and had a great time.

The cost iant an issue. In primary schools, they ask for a contribution and suggest the amount. All the schools here have a fund to plug the gaps. The school cant say 'if you dint pay you cant go'.

Some kids wont go on all trips. Some kids wont want to do everything. You cant ban certain activities, because some kids dont want to go.

My ds absolutely loved his trip last year and excitedly tells us sister about it. She goes later this year.

Their school only does one in year 6, is costs approx £150 but you get about 5/6 months to pay.

It's limited in numbers so not all children can go anyway so there is always a good few who stop at school so they don't feel too left out (I assume).

I really appreciate the teachers giving up their time to allow them to go.

My kids' school does them every year from year 2, which I think is ridiculous. Small school, and almost everyone goes, so it's very hard for those of us who struggle to afford it.

Both DCs schools have run residential trips every year and both DC have always gone.

I’ve never really given it much thought; it’s a little rite of passage, though, and both DC love staying away.

It's just a P7 (last year of primary) trip here, and then S1 (first year of high school). It doesn't cost hundreds, in fact it's £100 this time, or £35 if your child is eligible for free school meals.

I do think they benefit from it, DS1 certainly did and is away on his second trip just now.

Agreed that if it costs ££££ and is annually from a young age it could be difficult.

Ours was around £250

YANBU. I find it totally ridiculous.

Looking back year 4 is too young to go on a trip. She came back sunburnt and dirty from 1 shower in 3 days, when they were outside getting muddy all the time. Her hair was like a fuzz ball from lack of brushing. Sounds like my 13 year old who has been going on Cub and Scout camps since he was 7.

My DD grew so much in confidence and independence by going on her trips in Y4 and Y5. I hated having her away for so long but she totally loved it so I didn’t really let on how much I missed her. I thought it was excellent value for money and I was very proud of her for taking it all in her stride. For some kids this might be the only holiday they get all year. You are being unreasonable.

My kids loved PGL & their French actually seemed to improve with their year 7/8 French trip so I rather disagree.

I think it is a good thing but not before year 5/6. And then only one such as PGL type as I think it is a good bonding type trip as well before they go off to high school

What I really dislike is the mass plethora of high school trips that routinely cost a minimum of £800 and up to £1500. Whilst my DH and I are well able to afford this, I feel for parents (and their children) who are unable to, and which my child is friendly with so I understand the debates and upset they have with parents over not going. This is in a school where the vast majority of parents are reasonably ok/affluent so they really feel it.

Many of the trips are just jollies and we have focussed on those which do have some educational value.

I'm amazed about them being every year some places. Here they're a one-off in year 6 and set them up for more independence and resilience in secondary school. Mine loved theirs, as did their friends.

My lovely DStepM worked in a school in a v deprived area. They managed to run a less expensive trip by avoiding PGL type activities and focusing on free stuff that they could do with the DC themselves. For some it was their only 'holiday'.

Ours do a two night trip in year 5 and a week long trip in year 6. DD1 is about to go on her year 6 trip and the teachers queue up to go every year, they really enjoy it. It's a big highlight for the kids after SATs and before high school. It cost £400 though, very expensive.

“All the schools here have a fund to plug the gaps”

Where does that money come from?