To think that this isn't fair (school situation)

[whyisswangnotaword]

To cut a long story short, my child's school is holding a whole school trip to a beach to mark the end of the year.
It's been highly encouraged for all students to attend, albeit a little too encouraged and has come across to many as very pushy, which has been off putting.
We are not attending, due to my child's horrific travel sickness. I was called and asked if we were attending after already saying we are not - and then was further questioned as to why we are not going. That's not the point though -

We have today been told that any children not attending will be set online work to complete for the day that the school is closed for the trip.
I will be taking my child out for the day, most probably to the cinema due to bad weather .. because although she is aware of the reasons we are not attending and did not want to go due to travel sickness (it would absolutely NOT be enjoyable for anybody) it's still not nice for her to think of all of her friends out having fun whilst she is stuck at home.

Is it silly of me to think that it's unfair that the school are setting an online work day for the children that aren't attending?
I would agree with it totally if she were missing an educational trip, but it's not that. It's a whole school trips for the children and their parents to have a fun day at the beach.

They are setting it to just cover their bases - they have to provide alternative for others.

You, however, can do what you like with your child.

I suffer from travel sickness, and I’m a TA!!!Doesn't stop me going on coaches or trains though… I just take medication for it, and try and sit so I can see out of the front window. Think it’s a shame that she’s going to miss out on that.
as for the person up thread that thinks cathedrals aren’t a fun trip…very sad attitude.

That's lovely for you, such a shame for the people who find medication useless and would spend the 2.5 hrs vomiting followed by being too ill to do anything for the rest of the trip. The 2.5 hrs heaving when you don't even have anything left to vomit is even more fun. Not sure how much use that TA would be.

I’ve only read the first two pages so this may have already been suggested.

2 of my 3 sons suffer horrendously with travel sickness. On an hour and a half journey last year, I had to stop 6 times for them both to throw up. One of them is 16 now and still suffers like this.

until a few months ago. We were going away for a few days. The journey there was nearly 4 hours, coming home took around 7 hours. We didn’t have to stop for either to be sick even once! Not even a hint of nausea. How? I discovered these:

https://amzn.eu/d/07Pwsotm

they actually WORK. It’s amazing. They’ve used Kwellls tablets in the past which sometimes work, sometimes don’t. I can’t recommend these sticky dots enough - I don’t know what kind of witchcraft is at play, but there’s something I’m sure!
@whyisswangnotaword tagging you so you (hopefully) see the recommendation as it has been game changing for us. Please note that both boys used 2 sticky dots each journey.

The school has to be seen to provide education otherwise there will be complaints from some parents. Xx

Just ignore the work!

It's literally single figures until the end of term, no one is marking anything now. Anything she did happen to turn in would get binned anyway.

It's more that they HAVE to provide something for her, considering they've basically decided to close the school for the day.

Why do you feel sorry for her ? We sadly couldn't attend this trip - I will be trying out most suggested sickness tips and medications that I have not already tried on family trips throughout the summer, and I hope that one of them works well for her so she is able to attend longer school trips in yr1 next year 🤞🏼

We have had a lovely day at the cinema today, then went to a family members house for dinner, and a taxi back home. Little bit of sickness on the way home (30 min taxi trip) but overall a lovely day! Nothing to feel for I'm afraid.

Glad you enjoyed your day and I hope something works for your daughter. Travel sickness can be mild but if you suffer at the more severe end it is horrible.

I can assure you, no exaggeration.
Yes, whole school trip - from reception up to year 6.
Yes, parents required to attend. 1 parent 1 child ticket, combined price of £25.
Coaches leaving between 7:30-8AM and expected back at 7:30PM.
5 coaches left from the school this morning at just before 8AM. (Drove past our house)
No, we definitely weren't the only ones not going, and I didn't say we were the only ones. I'm not sure how many didn't attend.
Parents I speak to had said how pushy they felt the school had been for this trip and that they were going, but didn't like the attitude, and that a lot of the parents were only going as they felt they had to (due to the attitude)
And yes, residential trip to local farm is offered each year for only a select few children (16) who put their names down from KS1.
I did not think it would actually be an overnight.. it was. Parents not invited to attend. 2 parents told the school on the day they WILL be accompanying their child. (They were allowed to in the end). This is too young for an overnight stay IMO.

I think that's covered it all ?

@JanglingJack Yes, we are midlands. It's a nightmare to get to a beach!! 🤣

I can assure you, no exaggeration.
Yes, whole school trip - from reception up to year 6. Yes, parents required to attend. 1 parent 1 child ticket, combined price of £25.
Coaches leaving between 7:30-8AM and expected back at 7:30PM.

If true this is completely and utterly insane. Whole school attendance will be through the floor tomorrow and staff will be dealing with lots of meltdowns, fallings out and poor behaviour from kids who do show up. The younger ones will all be exhausted.

It's strange .. because they offered a 2 night residential to a farm for the reception class

You then say that this was KS1, which isn't reception, and describe it as "an overnight"?

If true this is completely and utterly insane. Whole school attendance will be through the floor tomorrow and staff will be dealing with lots of meltdowns, fallings out and poor behaviour from kids who do show up. The younger ones will all be exhausted

Exactly! It's also very cheap at £25 for two people on a 5 hour round trip with the cost of coaches at the moment.

Yes, parents required to attend. 1 parent 1 child ticket, combined price of £25

So even year 6 children all needed a parent to attend? Really?

My mistake, I thought ks1 was reception as whenever there is things involving both reception and year one it's described as ks1 ? Regardless it was for reception and year one and was 2 nights stay at a farm.

The costs of the school trips and clubs etc are incredibly reasonable, I have found this

Yes, all years

It’s a legal formality - it’s a school day so they have to provide something.
Just ignore the work and enjoy your day!

I would be looking at finding a solution to the travel sickness thing though for the future, otherwise it will inhibit your child’s ability to engage in lots of opportunities with their friends. Good luck!

How narrow minded

Try not to battle with the negative energy op. You don’t have to explain yourself. You sound like a fantastic parent who cares about their child. I’m pleased you got so
e good advice from this thread. As a pp said school likely have to set a task so the day is not just used as a day off etc. it’s probably what they’re required to do. The idea of 2.5 hours travel each way sounds horrendous to me, I’d not want my 6yo to do that in any case. He’d be shattered. Enjoy your day with you dd and don’t worry about it

It is educational. It isn't that difficult to understand.

Do you always let them dictate things?

i find it astounding how many people on here think your child will be missing out … a 5 hour round trip on a coach sounds like hell!! Then for people to think travel sickness ‘isn’t a big deal’….. because ‘loads of kids will be sick’…. and ‘just take a change of clothes!’…..
OMG mumsnet really has gone mad!!….
I literally can’t think of much worse than having to sit on a coach load of 5 year olds asking ‘are we nearly there yet’… or complaining they’re bored… for 2 and half hours!! And then having to tolerate kids puking .. then the stink …
With a 5 hour round trip, how long will you actually be at the beach?? An hour/2 hours?? Then back on the coach which will stink of puke for another 2.5 trip! How does school think that’s a ‘treat’ for literally anyone! I’m sure there was somewhere closer to home where the school could have gone … a park for a run around and picnic?…. Almost anything is better than having to sit still on a coach for 2.5 hours!

As a cathedral guide I can tell you that a lot of work goes into providing a fun and educational day for all children that visit our cathedrals. Most children love it.

“Cathedral lady” has somewhat derailed this thread but hope she has reconsidered off the back of it 🤣