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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child unwell on school trip

334 replies

G172125 · 03/04/2024 19:43

My son is currently on a school trip to Disneyland. He started to feel unwell with stomach pains and vomiting. He got split up from he’s group and was left alone in Disney village. I managed to get hold of the teacher to let her know and she said she would go to him. My son then text me and said she said she Can’t go to him because she is queuing for a ride. Nobody bothered to go look for my son for two hours. Aibu to make a complaint about this and take it further?

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 03/04/2024 20:11

I agree there should be a process for someone taking ill so they are supported. I doubt the school only teaches 16 year olds and there could be other trips with younger children, and you would not wish it to happen to say an 11 or 12 year old.

Though like some other posters seem to be hinting, why on earth a school arranges a trip to Disneyland in GCSE year is beyond me.

Original poster
G172125 · 03/04/2024 20:11

XelaM · 03/04/2024 20:07

Omg at 16 calling his mum in another country instead of the teacher/his friends/going to medical centre etc etc etc. This is ridiculous and quite embarrassing for a 16-year-old not being able to deal with this himself

He spoke to the teacher on the phone made no difference

OP posts:
Notinthemood12 · 03/04/2024 20:11

Sounds like he feels vulnerable so called mum, he feels ill in a different country without family. Teacher should check in with him 💯

Taxidriverinfront · 03/04/2024 20:11

I went on a school trip to Disneyland in the early 2000s, they hosted many schools for business based educational presentations during the day and a perk was getting to go to the park.

Cookiemiguel · 03/04/2024 20:14

CorvusPurpureus · 03/04/2024 20:07

It doesn't sound brilliantly organised.

Whenever I've done theme park trips, two teachers have been stationed somewhere central (usually cracking on with work on laptops at a cafe) & students know to go there if they get separated from their friends, are unwell etc.

If a student needs a teacher to go & find them in a dire emergency, one does that whilst the other stays put.

I would still expect a 16yo with a dicky tum to be able to find somewhere quiet to sit on his phone for a bit, though.

& yes to 'year 11s, Easter, on a jolly, wtaf?!'

This. My DD’s go to a school that have loads of trips, including abroad. Whether it was a theme park like Alton towers, or a trip to Madrid where they were allowed (at year 8) to wander around the shops alone, there was always a teachers stationed somewhere where they could find them. I can see the benefits of a teacher just giving their number out so they can move around too, but surely it should be a priority that if they are contacted by a child who needs help, that they fucking help them! I actually can’t imagine a teacher telling a sick child, in a foreign country, who they are responsible for, ‘nah I’m too busy queuing for a Disney ride, you’ll have to sit on a bench for two hours on your own until I’m finished’. Completely unacceptable

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 03/04/2024 20:16

Why are people doubting the existence of the school trip? Our teens' whole school ski trip is this week. Open to all years. Our two year 11's would've been on it if it wasn't so expensive.

We're going away ourselves next week.

Cleopatra05 · 03/04/2024 20:16

I'm a teacher who has led many trips abroad. In this situation, I would have expected your son to ring to school trip mobile which the trip leader or a member of staff would have on them. Once I was aware of the situation, a member of staff would make their way to him and look after him. I would not have stayed in the queue for the ride!
As trip leader, I would be annoyed with his friend's if they abandoned him. We drum it into our kids that they are not to be in groups of less than three at all times. One friend should have stayed with him, while the other should have made their way back to the designated meeting point which should be staffed at all times for such an emergency.
Once you're satisfied that your son is ok, I would ask what the risk assessments and arrangements are in place for remote supervision. I assume there is more than one member of staff on the trip. Could it be that another was making their way to him? I can't believe the teachers would just leave him!

Original poster
G172125 · 03/04/2024 20:16

Bushmillsbabe · 03/04/2024 20:08

They are amazing teachers to be giving up their school holiday to take children on a trip!
Difficult call for that teacher - leave other children (who could have included children with additional needs or health needs, and therefore needed closer supervision) to go check on OP's child, or trust OP's child to get back to hotel. Not an easy choice.

i Don’t agree with this at all. All the the children from year 8 to 11 are walking around the park alone. The teachers have got to go on a trip to Disneyland. There is no option to get back to the hotel it’s a coach drive away. From the pictures posted on there social media it looks as though the teachers are going around the park together

OP posts:
Cookiemiguel · 03/04/2024 20:18

XelaM · 03/04/2024 20:07

Omg at 16 calling his mum in another country instead of the teacher/his friends/going to medical centre etc etc etc. This is ridiculous and quite embarrassing for a 16-year-old not being able to deal with this himself

I think you need to reread the thread, as it’s kind of about the child contacting the teacher for help on the one emergency contact number he was given. And the teacher refused to help. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s the school for failing one of their pupils to the point he’s had to phone a relative out of the country as he didn’t know what else to do.

FeelingSoOverwhelmed · 03/04/2024 20:19

I'm a teacher who has done lots of trips abroad (including DLP and Parc Asterix) and our procedures (like many others have said) is to have staff at checkpoints plus a mobile to contact. We don't "crack on with work" though, just find a shady spot to have a coffee.

I'd definitely come and find a kid who was alone and ill, and it is absolutely worth following up on this. Not saying your DS is lying at all but just check the teachers side of things as well in case something's got lost in communication.

AlohaRose · 03/04/2024 20:21

If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s the school for failing one of their pupils to the point he’s had to phone a relative out of the country as he didn’t know what else to do.
Actually the OPs first post indicated that her DS contacted her first and it was she who actually made contact with the teacher in the first instance. Only later did her son text her to say that the teacher wasn't leaving the queue. I still don't know why he didn't call the given number first or contact some of his friends? And I'd still like to know where her DS is now and what is happening? Presumably not still sitting on a bench waiting?

Jeannie88 · 03/04/2024 20:22

On school trips there is always a set return point for students and they also have the teachers' numbers these days. However I'm talking about age group 12 to 13. At age 16 I would expect a friend to accompany or go alone back to the meeting place or call and be advised to do so. Teachers take it in turns to go for a break/help other students so maybe the one he called wasn't at the MP at that time and passed the message on? That seems like the logical explanation, she may well have been in a queue because she wasn't the one on duty at MP at that time. X

Layla30 · 03/04/2024 20:23

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 03/04/2024 20:16

Why are people doubting the existence of the school trip? Our teens' whole school ski trip is this week. Open to all years. Our two year 11's would've been on it if it wasn't so expensive.

We're going away ourselves next week.

Totally agree with you and if it wasn’t so outing I would tell all the doubters where my local school is taking a group of 40 this time next year. All ages between 12-17 years old on a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in something!! It would be too much for them to take in 😂

EmmaEmerald · 03/04/2024 20:23

LIZS · 03/04/2024 20:02

So he could have gone and found the teacher, rather than wait? Most trips dc went on had rendezvous points where a staff member would be posted. Ge had phone contact and could locate someone to help himself if needs be.

If he is in that awful situation where he can’t leave the bathroom then, no he can’t.

OP, I agree that if someone on the trip is unwell and under 18, then a teacher should be keeping an eye on them. And I am not normally one for infantilising anyone.

I hope your son feels better ASAP and can get back to the hotel.

RedHelenB · 03/04/2024 20:24

G172125 · 03/04/2024 19:53

Just turned 16, year 11. First time in a foreign country . The teacher new the situation and he’s location but was to busy on her holiday to bother. He spoke to her on the phone.

You've made you mind up then.

ManchesterBeatrice · 03/04/2024 20:24

Glad the teachers are enjoying themselves, small perks for a hellish job.

CorvusPurpureus · 03/04/2024 20:25

mylittleitalianhome · 03/04/2024 20:10

I would be pissed off about this too op. Whether he’s 16 or 26, if you go on a group trip you’d expect someone to show an ounce of empathy and help get you back to the hotel. Especially as it’s actually the teachers’ job - they’re not there for a free jolly.

They're giving up their own holiday. These trips don't take place in term time.

They run IF teachers volunteer - which often means that they incur costs such as their own childcare, on top of losing down time, time with their own families...

None of that means we shouldn't look after the kids as responsibly as we do in term time, but if I'm honest, it's not easy to persuade colleagues to give up their holidays to look after a horde of teens for free.

'It's actually the teachers' job' isn't helpful in this respect. They don't have to do it.

I love residential trips! But if I run one, it certainly isn't a jolly.

Original poster
G172125 · 03/04/2024 20:25

RedHelenB · 03/04/2024 20:24

You've made you mind up then.

Show quote history

No just stating the facts

OP posts:
MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 03/04/2024 20:25

As someone who chaperones children as part of a dance school. I have been involved in a couple of trips abroad with the school including Disneyland Paris where we were performing.
At aged 16 they go off and do their own thing. It's expected that if they get lost they go to the information centre or medical centre then ring the appropriate number as all of us are with younger pupils.
They were expected to arrive at the changing rooms etc on time to get ready to perform and also to meet at the bus ready for leaving.
It's drilled into them that they should stay together in a group and not to leave anyone.
I was chaperoning the under 16s.

If he's managed to contact you...what about his friends that are there? Has something happened and they have had a fall out.

Is it just that the teacher can't come right away? And is contacting another teacher? I can understand if the teacher has spoken with him....assured he was ok...then said I'll be with you when I can assuming she cannot leave the children under 16 in a queue alone.

EarringsandLipstick · 03/04/2024 20:26

ManchesterBeatrice · 03/04/2024 20:24

Glad the teachers are enjoying themselves, small perks for a hellish job.

That's ridiculous. They of course should be available to a sick student.

Every school trip I've had experience of, teachers would be. As mentioned by a teacher upthread.

NewName24 · 03/04/2024 20:26

XelaM · 03/04/2024 20:07

Omg at 16 calling his mum in another country instead of the teacher/his friends/going to medical centre etc etc etc. This is ridiculous and quite embarrassing for a 16-year-old not being able to deal with this himself

Have to agree with this.

Iwasafool · 03/04/2024 20:26

TheSnowyOwl · 03/04/2024 19:50

If he is genuinely in agony he needs to go to hospital, not sit on a park bench.

How was he able to contact you and not his teacher or friends?

Show quote history

So just take himself off? Wouldn't teachers get a bit stressed if kids just disappeared? Would he have his passport or EHIC card?

tinytemper66 · 03/04/2024 20:27

Tell him to go to the medical centre. Then get him to give you the number if the teachers what's app and you contact her and tell her where he is. It in poor show. I have taken trips all i"over the world and wouldn't have left a child on their own, no matter their age.

NewName24 · 03/04/2024 20:27

OnceUponARainbow88 · 03/04/2024 20:06

So to clarify… the school has taken a bunch of year 11s to Disney land just before exam season? Sorry; I’ve worked in some very disorganised schools and even they wouldn’t do this…!

I can't get my head round this either

tinytemper66 · 03/04/2024 20:28

tinytemper66 · 03/04/2024 20:27

Tell him to go to the medical centre. Then get him to give you the number if the teachers what's app and you contact her and tell her where he is. It in poor show. I have taken trips all i"over the world and wouldn't have left a child on their own, no matter their age.

Sorry spelling errors...