To this that there should be enough spaces for all kids who want to go on a primary residential..

[drainitallout]

I accept that this is a first world problem and that I probably ABU, but my DD is so sad. Her state primary is usually brilliant for residentials - one night in yr3, two nights in yr4, then 4 nights with yr5 and 6 together.

She's now is year 5 and this has been the first one that she would have gone on due to covid cancelling the others (totally understandable)

The school have (again totally understandably) allocated placed to all the yr6 kids that want to go, and have pulled name out of a hat to allocate the remaining spaces to yr5s. There are hardly any yr5s going.

In previous years there have been enough spaces for all kids who want to go, so clearly there is more demand this year. But I just feel really sad and a bit bitter that kids including mine are missing out, especially after the last couple of years. In our area quite a lot of schools went through with their residentials in June / July of this year but ours decided against it which I accepted of course.

DD hadn't been only anything like this before as she's didn't want to joint beavers / rainbows etc when she was younger unlike her older brother.

I'm just cross, I guess. It would be lovely for her to have something to look forward to when the next few months, at least, are likely to be a bit rubbish

I think YABU really, unless it only runs alternate years.

Just view it as a y6 residential, where spare spaces are allocated to y5.
Your DD will get to go when they are in y6.

@TeenMinusTests

I think YABU really, unless it only runs alternate years.

Just view it as a y6 residential, where spare spaces are allocated to y5.
Your DD will get to go when they are in y6.

I know. But on the flip side of that yrs3 and 4 will be getting theirs this year so its only yr5 that misses out so it still seems so unfair.

Our school does this to fill year 6 gaps if they have any they always have if you are interested you go in the draw but when she goes into year 6 she will get her turn and there will be year 5 s in your daughters position

It should just be Yr6... unfair for a just a few of yr5 to get to go along...

Is there no trip at all for year 5 at all ,?

@Tittyfilarious81

Is there no trip at all for year 5 at all ,?

No, the trip has always been for year 5 and 6's together. This is the year 5 residential

Wow round here its just yr 6 that does trips.

Our school did something similar with a year group residential this year. Only space for 75% of the year. Those who didn’t get a place all complained and the trip was rearranged for a date where they could take everyone instead. Might be worth challenging with the school/teaming up with others also missing out.

@petalsandstars

Our school did something similar with a year group residential this year. Only space for 75% of the year. Those who didn’t get a place all complained and the trip was rearranged for a date where they could take everyone instead. Might be worth challenging with the school/teaming up with others also missing out.

I think I might do this. They can only say no I guess so there's nothing lost and maybe something gained?

@youngestisapsycho

It should just be Yr6... unfair for a just a few of yr5 to get to go along...

It's likely to do with money e.g. a) they need to book & pay for a minimum number of places b) they book enough for all y6 but can't cancel unwanted places c) this year because it was (probably) cancelled last year, more y6 want to go d) there is a maximum number they can take due to sleeping or teachers

In the grand scheme of things it is disappointing but she'll get her chance next year.

@WoodenReindeer

Wow round here its just yr 6 that does trips.

I know, in normal times our school is amazing in this respect and the kids are really lucky.

@drainitallout Ah apologies op I thought you meant it was a case of spare places not that if they don't get picked it's no trip . In this case I'd be angry too as it's very unfair .

YABU - Your daughter can go next year, and it's not like she's the only yr 5 not going. There will be others in the same situation. You have nothing to be cross about.

Had similar with one of my kids. Big year 6 trip and for some reason in his year more booked than usual. There weren't enough seats on the coach, hotel and activities were OK, so school said it would be done on a lottery. Parents upset and a meeting was arranged. It was finally agreed that a second coach would be booked but it would mean costs going up. Everyone agreed that was the fairest outcome.

Trip was to a european country and in the end seats on the coach were sold to interested parents who got dropped off in the first city they visited and picked up on the way back so in the end it didn't actually cost much more.

I think if you arrange a trip for a particular group/class/year group then everyone should be able to go if they want to.

My Yr6 has never been on a school residential either. Her school has yet to announce one for the current year group. Shes never played in a sports tournament, or been on any trip in over two years. Given a play in or concert since Yr3.

Your DD will have a chance next year. Lots won't.

@Mamamia7962 you're right she's not the only one not going. But I can be cross as it seems like yr5 are the only year without a residential trip this year which isn't fair at all.

I think the Year 5s will cope with not going this year. Lots of people have missed out on lots of things in the past two years.

But in most schoools year 5 dont do a trip. In yours some yr 5 get to take up spare yr 6 spaces (maybe thats the issue?)

If they can't take yr 5 & 6 i think they should only take the yr 6.

You wait until you get to secondary. All trips are space limited.

Some schools have a 'closing date' system, but others go on a 'first come' system which impacts on families who need to check finances before applying.

I can still remember being in Year 6 and we watched as names were chosen for the Year 6 residential. Mine wasn't called, I was crushed. So even for Year 6, there weren't enough spaces for all!

I got lucky in that someone dropped out and my name was chosen next so I got to go, but I still remember being in the room watching them draw the names. This is about 30 years ago now!

I think it's a bit cruel. Why not just make it for Year 6 only? And a Year 5 only trip? Some children will get to go two years in a row and others will be left out. Can you imagine if something happens and in Year 6 all trips are cancelled again? She wouldn't have got one at all.

I'm not sure what you can do, though. I'm sure they won't be able to book more spaces at this point.

@WoodenReindeer

But in most schoools year 5 dont do a trip. In yours some yr 5 get to take up spare yr 6 spaces (maybe thats the issue?)

But our school does do a year 5 residential. This is it. If it was billed as just year6 with spare spaces for yr5 that would be different. But this means yr3,4 and 6 all get to go away. But just a handful of yr5s. Which seems so unfair

I don't know of any school that does a year 5 residential. This doesn't need to be a big issue

That does seem unfair! They usually have a residential for both yr5 and yr6 at separate times in our school, this year both years are getting to go on both trips.

Each year group should have own residential or enough spaces for all of mixing groups.

If there is spare capacity from each year group then the price goes up.

School should put out an interest letter which an idea of costs and confirm it when numbers known. Then take deposits.