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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not think a school residential trip in June is wise?

71 replies

ColaHubbaBubba · 28/03/2021 22:57

My son (Y5) had a school residential trip that was cancelled last year. It was a shame but understandable. We were refunded.

School have just announced that a new trip is planned for early June. Trip is to a different (U.K.) location and is approx 4.5 hours away by coach. It’s an adventure centre with glam camping for 4 nights 5 days for £500(!!) AIBU to think this is crazy?

If the kid my son is sharing a pod with gets a temperature am I expected to do a 9 hour round trip to pick my isolating child up? Presumably without stopping on the way back? Or what if he’s the one with the temperature? If a teacher gets sick how will they get back without using public transport or school transport?

Half the year are currently isolating as we’ve had a confirmed case so it’s not like it’s far from our door right now.

But... letter came out last week and parents at the school door were ecstatic! All excited and signing them up no problems. I feel like I dreamed Covid.

YABU: No Covid-related reason to not sign up
YANBU: It’s not a good idea right now for Covid reasons

OP posts:
littlemisslozza · 28/03/2021 23:00

I think it's great they are trying to do this but it's a shame they couldn't book something closer.

Cattitudes · 28/03/2021 23:00

The trip itself I wouldn't have an issue with- they spend all day together anyway and the teachers can do lateral flow. Being so far away though would be tricky if as you say someone needs to go home.

Ulelia · 28/03/2021 23:04

That's mad. It will be impossible for them to enforce normal covid protocols, and impossible if someone has any symptoms of covid whatsoever, theyll all be close contacts. It's absolutely a shame, but seems very unlikely.

Doyoumindfisithere · 28/03/2021 23:06

I wouldn't be willing to book this now because who knows what things will be like in June?

Luckily our school trip got cancelled!

Original poster
ColaHubbaBubba · 28/03/2021 23:06

I tentatively asked another parent about whether they were concerned and they looked sorry for me and said ‘Most restrictions will be over by then’. But I’m pretty sure the restriction that means you need to isolate with symptoms won’t be gone in just over 2 months!

OP posts:
Doyoumindfisithere · 28/03/2021 23:08

I'm not confident that sleeping in small tents with non-household members will be gone either? I wouldn't want to put my child into this risk anyway tbh, it is going to be grim this term for the unvaccinated I think.

Norwaydidnthappen · 28/03/2021 23:08

My DS’s residential was moved from January to June. It’s in Wales so different lockdown rules to us, unsure whether it will go ahead or not but I’m still hopeful it will.

Original poster
ColaHubbaBubba · 28/03/2021 23:10

@Doyoumindfisithere I think overnight stays in houses are allowed by then? I’m losing track.

OP posts:
Original poster
ColaHubbaBubba · 28/03/2021 23:11

I’m not actually hugely worried about the Covid risk, it’s more the logistics and the fact that I think it’s a daft thing to try to arrange and the other parents were all super excited!

OP posts:
TinaYouFatLard · 28/03/2021 23:12

What a wonderful experience that will be for children who have had such a shitty year. Please don’t let your fears about Covid spoil what will be a fantastic thing for your child. Kids have lost out in so much and they deserve to be put first now.

Our ability to assess reasonable risk has gone out the window. IMO the small risk that you may have to collect your child (as you would if they broke a bone or got a puke bug etc in previous, normal world), is far, far outweighed by the opportunity for them to have a fabulous time, doing fun things with their friends.

Bunnybigears · 28/03/2021 23:12

Thats a crazy price but a great thing to do. My year 6 is hopefully going away for a week residential (less than half the price of yours) in June, final decision in the next few weeks as to if it is going ahead. I really hope it does the kids will love it!

TinaYouFatLard · 28/03/2021 23:13

X posted. I see you aren’t so worried about Covid. My second paragraph still applies. We’ve always taken the risk that something may happen on a trip and logistics will need to be sorted.

Original poster
ColaHubbaBubba · 28/03/2021 23:22

Yes you’re right that a broken bone would also cause problems. But the thing with Covid is that an unaffected child can have to isolate. If my child shared a room with someone who got a symptom. Or if a child’s sibling back home started coughing the day they leave, shouldn’t the child then also isolate till sibling is tested? Too many variables for me.

I think I’d feel more strongly if my child really had had a ‘shitty year’ or ‘lost out’ but it’s not been like that at all for him or his friends. They’ve all seemed to love being off school and home learning, total adventure for them topped off with gaming together after school. My DS has been happy as a pig in poo this last year. He isn’t fussed about going but I think will want to go if everyone else is.

OP posts:
Original poster
ColaHubbaBubba · 29/03/2021 00:16

Interesting that I’m in the majority here but very much the minority at the school gates.

OP posts:
TinaYouFatLard · 29/03/2021 03:14

@ColaHubbaBubba

Interesting that I’m in the majority here but very much the minority at the school gates.
That’s Mumsnet for you 😂
Original poster
ColaHubbaBubba · 29/03/2021 07:36

Haha true but hard to understand!

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 29/03/2021 07:43

I have links to 3 local primaries. All are using the adventure centre in our town for a day trip, or a 2 day trip - that school cited the fact if anyone has to isolate it's easy for parents to get the kids home. Another local school is doing 3 separate days at the local water sports park with no overnight.

June is too soon for me to want to pay £500 (and get kiss hopes up) for something that may not happen.

Jist a thought...do you think the school postponed last years trip thinking no way will we still be in lockdown...and would now lose the deposit if the school don't go when there is no law stopping us?

rookiemere · 29/03/2021 07:44

Well I'd be delighted if DS 15 got his school activity residential. He has missed out on so much over the past year, and the residential is a real right of passage and selling point for the school. I think they're trying to do day trips instead to replace it.

At some point DCs need to get their lives back to normal. Frankly I'd be more concerned for the teachers than the DCs.

AvaCallanach · 29/03/2021 07:45

My kid's year 6 residential event has been cancelled because it was scheduled for a week before 21 June and we have been told that the activity centre is allowed to open until then.

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 29/03/2021 07:49

it is so exciting but no surprise that people would feel nervous

AvaCallanach · 29/03/2021 07:50

FFS - is NOT allowed to open before 21 June.

Longtalljosie · 29/03/2021 07:51

It’s madness. In the country we live in, schools have been open since the first lockdown but residential trips were banned after a series of superspreader events.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/03/2021 07:54

Has Government guidance changed for school trips?

Gladioli23 · 29/03/2021 07:58

I think I'd be totally fine with a trip but want it to be less than maybe 1.5 hours away in case of any of the logistical nightmares you describe. It's very expensive too! That seems an awful lot to me.

Doingitaloneandproud · 29/03/2021 08:01

@ColaHubbaBubba

Interesting that I’m in the majority here but very much the minority at the school gates.
Tbf I'd be thrilled if my sons school would do this after his got cancelled but if a mum asked me at the school gates I don't think I'd answer.
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