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?

At my daughter's school they go on a residential trip in Y6 - it's a bit of a rite of passage, I think. I still remember my Y6 resedential. I'm not sure of the cost but I know so far all the trips she has been on have been free for Pupil premium children so I imagine this trip would be at least discounted. However for the children that don't go on the residential they plan day trips and activities over the time of the trip so they get their own bit of fun and hopefully don't feel they've missed out too much.

YABU
I fondly remember mine back in 1975

My dc fondly remember theirs from 6 - 12 yrs ago.

All in top juniors (so 4th yr back in my day and Yr6 in 'new money').
Wonderful memories.

My DDS primary school was a one class one years small school.
DD went in year 3and 4 ,I think the soap and wash cloth came back dry but she used all the wet wipes.She was tired,filthy and happy.
She also did camping with the brownies and guides.
Non of these were expensive but we couldn't afford any of the Secondary school residential/holidays.

I've seen it mentioned here that schools "have a fund to plug the gaps" - sorry but this isn't really true. My school have already had to stop doing one residential as we simply cannot afford to subsidise it. We can barely afford stationary and basic equipment. Schools used to try to find cash from other areas from the budget but have never been allocated money specifically for this purpose. There is money for pupil premium children but it's very difficult to qualify for this and many parents don't apply for Free school meals anymore as all children get them in infants and many parents still don't realise they need to apply anyway or simply don't want to. It's very difficult to get parents to go through the process believe it or not. Also many low income families don't qualify as the thresholds are ridiculously low. It is also money that really doesn't go very far. So there are many parents who are not in a position to pay where we have no money to pay for them. It shouldn't be like this but budget cuts are crippling schools. Staff are being cut left right and centre and are struggling to deliver the basics even.
As staff are being expected to do more and more to mitigate this it also means it is more difficult to get enough staff to go on residentials as it's a huge commitment and also there aren't the TAs etc available anymore as they are being made redundant left, right and centre. The teaching profession is on its knees.
Yes payments are voluntary but we have to make it very clear that if we do not receive enough contributions then trips (of any sort- not just residential) will not go ahead.
Unfortunately trips will be more and more squeezed out for this reason which is sad as the children benefit tremendously from them.
It's really nice to see some parents here being appreciative an understanding of how hard it is for staff who go as I've rarely even got a thank you from a parent after a week away. I've been more likely to be ranted or complained at because an item of clothing has gone astray or clothes are dirty or a child is tired or didn't like the food etc. I've also had a parent asking if staff were paying for themselves as they weren't paying for staff to have a "holiday". But the children absolutely love them and it's wonderful to see children who struggle with confidence or academically shine in these different circumstances.

Stationery sorry!!!!

My two DC went variously to Paris, Russia, Poland, Belgium, Venice, French war graves, Pompeii and Sorrentino. They were not Rolls Royce trips but focused on history and culture. I am immensely glad and grateful that they could have the experience which, otherwise, we could not have afforded to give them as a family. The trips informed their reading and depth of knowledge and understanding and they also built resilience, cooperation and character.

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'.

Ours do.

And no discount or help for pupil premium children either.

Or for those who have several dc going.

My kids first went away with school overnight aged 5 (we live in Belgium). Freaked me out at first but they all had a great time. Overnight trips most years, highlight being 10day skiing holiday in Italy at end of primary. Costs were kept down and loads of fundraising done to subsidise places and funds for children who couldn’t afford it. Best experience for all. I think residential trips are great for kids- teaches them self reliance, develop new friendships etc. Am away on Tuesday on a 3 night trip with 11/12 yr olds with my school. Can’t wait to see the children in a new environment!

I think one trip at the end of year 6 is great.

My inner city, deprived, state primary school did annual Monday to Friday residentials for children in the last 3 years.

We were so broke that they were my only holidays or time away from home before I was 14. I am eternally grateful to the teachers for their time and allowing an extended payment plan for parents.

I have been taking Y6 to PGL for 11 years, I love seeing the children out of school. Ones who may not be so great academically but are great at physical challenges get to show off their skills, whilst others gain confidence and make friends with children they didn't think they had any common ground with. In 11 years we have only ever had 1 child not attend and that was for religious reasons. Children in receipt of Pupil Premium funding go free, and the cost is spread out over the year. I have never had a child say 'I wish I hadn't come' yes we have tears and homesickness but we are there as teachers, but also as adoptive mums for the week and the children also love seeing that side of the staff too. I LOVE residentials, both from a staff point of view and seeing over 400 children enjoy, learn and grow.

Year 6 is early enough. Year 5 for a couple of days at a push. Far too much to have it every year, not necessary at all. YANBU

We do them from yr 4 onwards at the school I teach . I must say as a teacher I lobe them.

4 night trip in year 6 here, over £300. Think it’s a lovely end to a stressful year though and memories are made with their friends.

We had one in Year 5 and one in Year 6. 6 was forest of Dean. In year 7 there was camp trip at the start of the year for a fee nights, 3-4 I think.

DS went on one in Y4 (2 nights) in Y4, and similar, but a bit further away in Y5.

He loved it. He cane back from each so much more independent and confident. Outdoory stuff is his strength, gave him a chance to “be good” at something. He’s not amazingly academic or team sporty.

My adult son still occasionally mentions his kayaking school trip to France which he went on in Year 6. It ended at Euro Disney. It was expensive but my quiet son learned to kayak and firmed up friendships he still enjoys today. At the time I remember thinking it was expensive but in hindsight it was definitely worth it. He gained in confidence and came back telling me he had been on a super long zip wire and he was not scared. Just a pity all children who would like to go sometimes have parents who cannot afford it. In my experience it builds confidence.

YABU. I went on one in year 5 and one in year 6, both were five days and both were amongst the best experiences of my childhood. I absolutely loved it, we all did. It was the first time most of us had been away from our parents for more than one night and it felt great. I had so many experiences I’ll likely never have again (I mean, I won’t be going caving any time soon anyway ).

I don’t know if my DC’s school has one but I hope so, it’s a fabulous experience.

Send them to a local Woodcraft Folk camp (40ish quid for 3 days). You can go along yourself. Or not

YANBU. I think it’s too young, there’s no need for them before comp. I know teachers who’ve said that some kids hated it and were really homesick, but the school glosses over this and says they all had a wonderful time .

But kids try all kind of things they hate. I tried horse riding and hated it.

And I think young kids benefit most from these, teenagers far less.

i think YABU. My two both went in year 2 then DD went in year 5 and has one next week (year 6) DS has one next year in year 5 and then again in year 6, these are the only 3 years they are offered. They love them, it's about learning to work with others, pushing themselves to do new things, I think they are brilliant. especially for DD this year, she is going to a different secondary to all her friends so this is a chance to make fab memories with the children she has grown up with for the 7 years of primary!: