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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cancelled PGL

56 replies

user1471541220 · 27/03/2021 03:53

AIBU to complain to the school about my Year 6 child's PGL residential trip for the end of May being cancelled? As far as I was aware the guidance on school trips/residentials is due to be published at Easter. Are the school right to cancel it prematurely? We will also lose the deposit...

OP posts:
Rodent01 · 27/03/2021 07:59

Guidelines were released on Friday to say school camping residentials are allowed from Monday 17th May. I think inside too. This is my line of work. Companies like PGL have been waiting for this for a long time. They have obviously been loosing money for over a year and have had no idea until just now what they could offer.

If your school is cancelling it due to teachers not wanting to go, then I assume PGL would be retaining the deposit. If PGL were cancelling then the deposits should be returned. If PGL are not honouring the booking, they may be retaining the deposit and rolling it over to 2022 in which case the school should return it to you themselves as they will have it for the next year.

You just need to ask more questions. I can understand non vaccinated teachers not wanting to run the trip but this is not a reason for the parents to loose money, the school should facilitate it. We have been known to send Year 1 teachers on trips and other staff cover teaching so that residentials can happen, they are so important to child development.

Rodent01 · 27/03/2021 08:03

FWIW, I actually spoke to PGL on Friday, pre announcement about ours which was pre 17th May and they still couldn’t confirm either way. As they are an indoor residential I don’t know if yesterdays announcement gave clarity, but school camping post 17th is allowed.

Mumofsend · 27/03/2021 08:08

They should be returning deposit, PGL have guaranteed deposits are fully refundable to my DD's school so its booked on a no risk policy

idontgetpaidenoughforthis · 27/03/2021 08:08

@Cookiedough123

I'm a teacher and haven't been vaccinated. There is no way I would be on a coach and then a residential trip with pupils.
This.

A lot of people are having to miss out on trips and special occasions and had things cancelled this year/last year. It's crap but that's life. You can do those things eventually when it's safe for all involved.

I'm getting a bit tired of people moaning about it TBH.

Original poster
user1471541220 · 27/03/2021 08:14

Thank you for all of your opinions. My sincere apologies if it came across as uncaring to teachers. I'm actually a teacher myself (Infants) and I wouldn't want to add to anybody's stress.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471541220 · 27/03/2021 08:15

If anybody has the most up to date guidance, please could they post a link to it? Thank you!

OP posts:
QueenArnica · 27/03/2021 08:16

It could be for a number of reasons OP. I understand your disappointment but as a primary teacher I can fully understand why secondary teachers wouldn’t want to be on a coach and residential trip in 2-3 months time.

unexpectedthird · 27/03/2021 08:17

I'm afraid I don't have a link at the moment - but DH who works in the industry had it confirmed yesterday. I'll ask him where the guidelines have been published.

Ionacat · 27/03/2021 08:18

I’m not surprised it has been cancelled, the thought of travelling, children coming down with Covid whilst away would make a risk assessment nightmare. But PGL have been difficult with refunds, my daughter’s school are trying to get back money from a postponed trip last year. The school have rolled over but due to guidance couldn’t go with their original plan - large mixed year group trip so are hoping to take year 6 instead but that’s significantly less children. They asked us if we wanted a refund, partial refund or were happy to forgo the money as the school was going to be out of pocket. But they did facilitate a refund if you wanted one.

Chloemol · 27/03/2021 08:26

YABU

maddiemookins16mum · 27/03/2021 08:32

YABU about it being cancelled but YANBU about the deposit.

NotSorry · 27/03/2021 08:33

@minniemoocher and @dancinfeet

Uni students are allowed home for Easter break

See here for guidance www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-students/coronavirus-guide-for-students/student-guide-to-coronavirus/returning-to-university-in-2021/

My ds is having a LFT today and then is coming home for 4 weeks

Iwantafuckingbreak · 27/03/2021 08:35

My son was due to go May 2020, obviously was cancelled but we all received a full refund.

elliejjtiny · 27/03/2021 08:40

My 2 dc both had their pgl trips cancelled this year. We got the deposit back though.

Barbie222 · 27/03/2021 08:45

I don't think there is anything in the latest update to say the position has changed. The school would be very foolish to commit spend to coaches etc without clear guidance that this is possible. YABU, as others have said. This is just another shitty consequence, and your child is in good company, I don't know any year 6s who have got away this year. And if he was older - well, my year 9 had two overseas trips scaled down then cancelled, but they did get to make a bonfire in the school grounds, which really is the best that can be done at the moment. Take the long view.

CarrieBlue · 27/03/2021 08:47

I’m a teacher and there’s not a chance I’d volunteer to go on a school residential after the last year, vaccinated or not. We’ve been shown very clearly how valued we are by government and society, no way am I putting myself last anymore.

capercaillie · 27/03/2021 08:47

Guidance is that residential trips may be possible from May 17 but schools are not to pay out money or make financial commitment at this stage. None of which makes any sense as they are allowed to make plans.

poppycat10 · 27/03/2021 08:49

I am also surprised they booked, but you should absolutely receive your money back.

I am not sure PGL's weasly "it's a B2B transaction" actually holds water, but I remember reading about that last year - didn't see what the outcome was but I suspect the CMA is on it, they've secured a lot of refunds for people.

poppycat10 · 27/03/2021 08:51

And yes of course uni students are allowed home for the holidays. And where does guidance say they can't go to both parents if they are divorced?

Original poster
user1471541220 · 27/03/2021 08:52

Thank you again for your comments. I am reflecting on my initial disappointment!

OP posts:
Hmmph · 27/03/2021 09:27

www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Not before 17 May for residential trips, but more guidance will come in due course.

I have a child booked onto and paid for residential trip for June. The school have not cancelled but I think they’re hoping it won’t be allowed so we can get our money back from the provider. It was all booked up and we had made initial deposits in 2019. We were told to keep paying the instalments in 2020. I therefore expect the trip to go ahead or to get a full refund.

midnightstar66 · 27/03/2021 10:01

I think YABU to expect it to go ahead but not BU to be annoyed about the deposit and expect it back. We were told in August to pay in full for DD's in November. To me it was glaringly obvious this wouldn't go ahead and I didn't. There hasn't been a single word about it since and parents have not been offered any sort of refund.

I'm with PP's that say there's absolutely zero chance I'd get on a coach packed with all
Those children and be in a position where I'd have to provide residential care for them atm. Yes it's an important experience for them but as with many things the dc that need the experience the most are often the ones that don't go. Thankfully my dd has been on plenty pre covid with brownies and will get a chance in future with guides. There are opportunities in high school at various stages too!

Ellmau · 27/03/2021 14:04

Could you take them to the small claims court?

Barbie222 · 28/03/2021 09:11

I'm with PP's that say there's absolutely zero chance I'd get on a coach packed with allThose children and be in a position where I'd have to provide residential care for them atm.

Parents may not be aware that residential trips are provided out of teachers' goodwill. There is no "must" about any residential trip. It's not looking likely that many teachers will be vaccinated before 17 May, so the best you can say about this guidance is that its window dressing - activity centres can't complain any more that they aren't allowed to operate, but in practice the trips can't go ahead if schools can't spend money before mid May.

WombatStewForTea · 28/03/2021 09:38

Unless you've been on a Robinwood/PGL trip before you'll have no idea how difficult it would be to keep bubbles separate never mind the enhanced cleaning needed. It certainly wouldn't be the usual freedoms that make it such a good trip.

Never mind the fact it's done off teacher's goodwill as most (some schools are great and do!) don't get the time back. It's fun but exhausting but throw covid into the mix it'd be a nightmare