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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think the school need to get a grip?

309 replies

Tyrozet · 25/03/2022 10:21

Just had a text from my son informing me of a letter he is bringing home from school about a trip abroad next year.

The cost of the trip alone is nearly £1000 - it is a skiing trip so on top of the basic cost of the trip, special clothes need to be purchased, passports paid for and of course spending money - I'd say all in it will be at least £1500.

It's a state school in a town with many deprived areas.

I know you can just say "no" if it's not affordable but AIBU to think the school shouldn't be putting on trips like this at a time when many families are having to choose between which basic essentials they can afford?

Things are shit enough as it is for alot of people without having the added kick in the teeth that this is completely unreachable at the moment.

OP posts:

WomblingWilma · 29/03/2022 15:22

DS’s school ski trip next year is just over £1k including travel, all food, tuition, lift passes etc. we’ve been given a years notice and can pay it off at £100 a month. We normally wouldn’t be able to afford something like this but older 3 are paying their way now so we can. Older DC (apart from the SN one) did one overseas school trip during secondary each but there weren’t ski trips and were much cheaper.

I’m very pleased DC4 can go as we wouldn’t ever choose a ski holiday as a family with the limited funds we have for one. I’ve always thought of skiing as a rich persons sport so happy at least one of my DC can have a go!

GrandTheftWalrus · 29/03/2022 17:10

@DdraigGoch I wouldn't spend 6k on a family holiday either. We are going on a family holiday abroad later in the year for just over 1k. But we've been paying it off for over a year. There is no way we'd be able to afford a 1.5k skiing trip for 1 dc in term time.

However I'm talking about this as though it was imminent. My dc are 5 and 10 months so in 10 years or whenever it would be when trips like this come up I would hope our financial situation would be improved.

But as far as I know the high school they'll be going to doesn't do trips like that as we are a deprived area.

DdraigGoch · 29/03/2022 20:33

[quote GrandTheftWalrus]@DdraigGoch I wouldn't spend 6k on a family holiday either. We are going on a family holiday abroad later in the year for just over 1k. But we've been paying it off for over a year. There is no way we'd be able to afford a 1.5k skiing trip for 1 dc in term time.

But as far as I know the high school they'll be going to doesn't do trips like that as we are a deprived area.[/quote]
That's the point though, most families don't have £6k to splash out on a ski holiday for the whole family. Many will however have £1.5k to let the eldest child go skiing, followed by another £1.5k a couple of years later for the youngest. Especially if (as for many posters upthread) the child recognises the sacrifice involved and opts out of Christmas/birthday presents from their parents, asking grandparents for clothing and spending money.

If you remove those opportunities, then skiing (or sailing etc.) becomes a pastime only for the very rich. At least school ski trips widen opportunities a little further.

GrandTheftWalrus · 31/03/2022 01:33

If my financial situation stays the same for 10 years then my dc won't be going.

I remember at primary school in the 90s my parents couldn't afford to send me to a residential thing. It never bothered me to miss out. I still had to go to school while my class were away and I enjoyed it.

BlackeyedSusan · 31/03/2022 01:42

we were offered a cruise on a ship that cost a couple of thousand quid.

It got cancelled as the ship was required in the south atlantic as a refitted troop ship for the Falklands war.

BlackeyedSusan · 31/03/2022 01:45

it does have merit for that quite well off but not well off enough to go skiing as a familyincome band of kids. if there are several sorts of trips at different budgets then it is possible for families to send kids to something that is just out of reach as a family but just in reach via school.

but yeah, not great timing as more families are into the heating or eating band.

Hawkins001 · 31/03/2022 01:47

@Tyrozet

Just had a text from my son informing me of a letter he is bringing home from school about a trip abroad next year.

It's a state school in a town with many deprived areas.

Things are shit enough as it is for alot of people without having the added kick in the teeth that this is completely unreachable at the moment.

With all due respect, their will always be one situation or another that will mean not all can cover the £, so when should they do the trips ?

Hawkins001 · 31/03/2022 01:50

@Tyrozet

I think alot of people have missed my point, or maybe I haven't explained it too well.

I actually think that in a school environment, this sort of trip is divisive and discriminates against people who are from poorer backgrounds.

I understand that not everyone will be able to afford every trip, but this isn't necessary or educational, it's a holiday being facilitated by the school which blatantly excludes a large number of pupils because of their background.

Well-off families who can summon up £200 by next week to enter the lottery for a place will be fine, but others who can't come up with that sum of money with no notice wont get a look in - even if we could afford to save the installments for the rest of the trip.

As people can guess that trips will happen at some point, surely then as and when possible if various people put a savings fund together for their children, so when trips do come up, they are already have some or all the cost covered ?

AngelsWithSilverWings · 31/03/2022 13:20

@BlackeyedSusan my primary school used to offer a cruse trip on the SS Uganda. That was also called up for service in the Falklands so probably the same ship. My parents couldn't afford it but I did go on a Norfolk Broads holiday with school which ,although not quite as exciting, I still remember for being such a great experience.

I've just registered my DS for his school ski trip and am now waiting to see if he was lucky enough to be one of the first 110 to register. We had three devices all primed to make sure he registered quickly. It is ridiculously popular.

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