Teachers go on a school trip for a jolly

[User135792468]

I have read numerous threads about teachers recently regarding school trips. Some suggest it’s just a jolly, others are outraged that teachers get a free holiday and don’t have to pay for going on the trip also.

The teachers in the article below have just been acquitted of manslaughter and have been through 7 years of hell. It was an absolute tragedy for the child and family involved. Every single parents worst nightmare. However, next time you think teachers are off on a jolly, think again.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63150259.amp

Free holiday?

Not my idea of a holiday looking after 30 or more kids!

(I know you're not saying that though OP)

Anyone who thinks teachers do trip for a free holiday needs their head examined.

I can't even imagine what they have just gone through, to have been there when traders struck, in a different country and then tried for manslaughter - I feel sick just reading it but am glad they were found not guilty. I used to count heads constantly on any school trip I took my class on and that was just to local museums. My heart goes out to them, the family and friends. I hope they are receiving a lot of support right now.

I've not seen threads where posters assume that it's a jolly. Quite the opposite TBH

Blimey, I've done a few trips in my time. Responsible for 20-50 volatile little humans, in loco parentis 24/7 for several days, on your feet most of the time. On one trip recently, I ended up literally paddling around in sick at 1 in the morning as a child had projectile vomited from a top bunk. She also puked repeatedly on the coach the next day.
It ain't a jolly.

YANBU. DC1 went to see the Lion King in the West End today, on a school trip. I'd love to see the show but not enough to pay top whack for tickets, so I'm pleased he's had the experience. I'm sure the teachers enjoyed it too but I wouldn't want to be responsible for shepherding 40 kids onto/off trains, the underground and through central London. I'm very grateful!

I have never read a comment that suggests the teachers do trips for any reason other than to give the pupils the opportunity.

Wonder how many people realise that teachers give up their time to do this and often won't get given time off in return- they might get a day if lucky. Then often miss theirs DC's school events like plays and sports days.

I have never seen a post saying they go on a jollyZ only a fool would think that they do

Who thinks it's a jolly? You would need to be insane to think that's fun. I have a son at a sen school who does a residential trip every year. No amount of money would make me responsible for a group of teenage boys with additional needs. They need a medal and SAS style training

I've seen posts where people have complained that parents have to pay for the teachers to go - not sure if they think the school should pay or the teachers themselves.
I think a lot of people think teachers get paid overtime and have better conditions than they actually have.
I admire teachers immensely and definitely think a residential trip is to be endured rather than enjoyed.

I've seen comments suggesting teachers should pay for themselves etc.

My usual reaction to school trip letters is thinking rather them than me. (Taking 50 10-11yos to Alton Towers for example!)

I have been on residential field trips with 50 8 year olds! It's definitely not a jolly! Long hours - think airline from 6am - 11pm when they finally go to sleep and repeat for several days! We don't get any days off in lieu either but get paid a little bit extra (think €200 before tax for 4 days !!)

If anything this proves teachers don’t take it seriously enough.

On a jolly? Seriously?! Teachers don't get paid, get no time in lieu, and spend the whole time terrified that something will happen as occurred in France. Not to mention no sleep as the kids are up talking and misbehaving all night. On my last residential trip, I had to share a room with a colleague and a bathroom with 20 kids - certainly not my idea of a "jolly!"

This, in spades.

Yep.

My mum's a teacher and has accompanied many school trips over her lifetime, many abroad.

The level of responsibility is absolutely huge, they have no down time, they are away from their own family. My mum was happy to do it but would much rather have not!!

I think parents ought to be required to help on a school trip before they’re allowed to complain about them. Forget residentials and ski trips, taking thirty kids on a bus and then round a museum is hard enough work, and I was a parent helper on the day not someone who had to do any of the planning/recce trips/hold responsibility. I wouldn’t blame staff for refusing to take trips, especially those involving overnights or any kind of sport/outdoor activity.

Wow this article 😲

I'd rather endure a week at butlins than take loads of kids in a school trip 🤣
Who in their right mind would want to teach 🤷‍♀️

I've been on many different trips with school kids and have spent 16 weeks abroad over my 20 year career career. I wouldn't do it now though. Just too much to go wrong and an increasing number of kids have no self responsibility. A real shame.

How anyone could think taking 30 school children anywhere as a jolly, I can't imagine. Are they mad?

Obviously there are a lot of wonderful teachers who work really hard and give up their own time to take kids on trips that enhance their education. My friend has done so and it’s bloody hard work.

I also have a friend in a non teaching role who has been to Japan, USA and India on school trips and had a totally amazing time. Obviously there was a lot of work and responsibility but this was state school and therefore open only to the most wealthy pupils (another subject) and tended to be very well behaved. Friend very open that she did well out of this.

Another youngish teacher who adored skiing got his yearly fix by escorting a party each year. Yes a lot of responsibility but he couldn’t afford it otherwise and got time to ski while they were in ski school.

So it’s a bit of a mix.

I definitely don’t think they are on a jolly. I think it is a huge responsibility.

That linked article has really upset me, IMO the title of the thread and the subsequent link are a bit incongruent. Use of the word jolly and then a very distressing account of a child’s death and some of the impact on the family and the teachers involved.

That article is crazy… no way would I open myself up to that kind of liability for someone else’s kids.