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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cost of year 6 school trip.. AIBU?

195 replies

BanginChoons · 23/06/2021 19:11

My dc came home from school today with a letter for a school residential. It's for 4 nights in the UK, at an activity centre. The children will be doing things like canoeing and high ropes. The cost is £360. Aibu to think this cost is too high? I would prefer a shorter trip and a lower price, I am concerned that families on lower incomes will struggle to afford this.

OP posts:
GiantToadstool · 23/06/2021 20:10

Im hoping for secondary I can fill the form in for my daughter to enter the ballot and then prime the school to not let her "win." 😞

teenagetantrums · 23/06/2021 20:10

Probably about right l think l paid £250 and that was about 14 years ago. We were allowed to pay in installments so l think l paid it off over 6months

olidora63 · 23/06/2021 20:11

It was over £300 in 2010 when my youngest left primary school…so not too bad ,but it does depend on income etc!

teenagetantrums · 23/06/2021 20:11

I did say no to the year 9 trip to Barcelona for art history..Was about £600 if l remember for 3nights..l could have taken both my kids on holiday to Spain for that🤣

PyjamaFan · 23/06/2021 20:12

Stop moaning ffs.

Either send your child or don't.

Spunout · 23/06/2021 20:12

Spied,I was on that thread tooGrin.
It doesn't get paid for here,you either pay or the child doesn't go.

Notonthestairs · 23/06/2021 20:13

I think this is pretty standard.
DD's PGL trip was £360 for 4 nights.
It was cancelled.

GiantToadstool · 23/06/2021 20:14

Seriously pyjama!?!?

It is a rite of passage and v hard to see a child in yr 6 miss out.

khakiandcoral · 23/06/2021 20:14

Good! It's not the fault of the kids that they come from low income households. Why should my kids get more opportunities than them?

because the current system is encouraging people to do as little as possible! Why should I work to pay for MY kids and for other people's kids too?

Why should people be encouraged to have kids they can't afford and have a hand hold all the way? Send the kids by all means, but deduct the fee at the source.

Rosebel · 23/06/2021 20:14

That's good value. My DD did this 4 years ago and it was £360 then for a similar thing. However we were given the option to pay in instalments from October to April (trip was in June).
It's a lot of money to find in a short period of time. The cost is fine but they should have given more notice, but I expect they were worried about having to cancel the trip

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/06/2021 20:16

Its suitably priced for what it offers.

If you cannot afford it, approach the school and ask if they are able to offer any aid.

yeahdarling · 23/06/2021 20:17

That's a standard price.

I had 4 nights away in Y6 and it was £110. That was in 1991!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 23/06/2021 20:17

I think for travel, food, activities and 24/7 supervision that’s about correct. It’s offered, not compulsory.

ChicChaos · 23/06/2021 20:19

My DD's trip (also PGL) was a similar cost a few years ago, I thought it was expensive too. She did enjoy it, but it's a lot of money. For the children that couldn't or didn't want to go, the school put on activities at school for the week.

It might be worth approaching the school to see if there is any financial help available.

Juanbablo · 23/06/2021 20:19

Ours is £410 for 4 nights about 3.5 hours away from home. They will have an amazing time but it is a lot of money.

aggathapanthus · 23/06/2021 20:20

What’s included?

GiantToadstool · 23/06/2021 20:21

I cant tell you how relieved I am that our school only does 2 nights now! We thought it was expensive...

LeSquigh · 23/06/2021 20:22

I’m just so glad that nowadays there are options for those children of families who can’t afford it. I went on my Year 6 trip because my extended family helped pay for it but I missed out on my year 7 trip and I was one of 5 left behind. It was embarrassing for me.

But I agree, it is very expensive. We have paid about £200 for a two day two night trip and there’s also loads of stuff we will need to buy for it which will cost at least that again. We can afford it but it’s still a lot of money to us.

isitjustlockdown · 23/06/2021 20:24

That definitely sounds right to me. Our youngest DDs trip was last year (well it was meant to be was cancelled due to Covid), was £480. A similar trip, 4 nights at an activity centre.

Dementedswan · 23/06/2021 20:25

Yr4 residential was £290 for two nights away at similar activity plaxd, canoeing, zio lining, archery, escape room type activities . He's just come back tonight and had a whale of a time .

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/06/2021 20:25

I've worked on these types of centre before.

Included (on my site);-
Bed and breakfast in suitable accomodation
2 course hot lunch
2 course hot dinner
Evening snack
Daytime activities from 8.30-5
Evening activities from 6.30-8.30
Disco party on the final night
Full activity staffing plus full safety equipment where required
Teacher staffing
Coach to and from
Insurance for it all (most of the money goes here tbh)

GrandDuchessRomanov · 23/06/2021 20:27

My Ds has SEN and respite care costs us £15 an hour - we can't afford it.

I'd kill for someone to take him off my hands for 4 days for that price.

YABU.

Original poster
BanginChoons · 23/06/2021 20:28

@aggathapanthus it includes transport, 4 nights accommodation, food, and daily activities such as high ropes and canoeing.

OP posts:
GrandDuchessRomanov · 23/06/2021 20:29

@LeSquigh I think it's always been the case in some areas actually.

My DH came from a poorer family and his trips were subsidised by school. He never missed out and this was over 30 years ago.

Budgiegirlbob · 23/06/2021 20:31

That’s about standard for a 4 day primary school trip.

Unfortunately places such as PGL charge much more for schools going during the week than they do for youth groups at weekends or during school holidays.

For example, I’ve taken my cub pack away to PGL for the weekend for around £80 for two nights.

I guess it’s just supply and demand.