To think that kids on a residential should be allowed a couple of phone calls

[ftmni]

Im not saying they should bring their phones, but a quick check in call with mum?

My dd is away on a school trip, a few of the mums who haven't sent their kids to it have said its because of the risk of SA.

To be totally honest i have these scary scenario thoughts every now and again, as much as i try not to, but that wasnt one until they said it. So now add that to my anxiety list!

But from a safety point of view, should they not be allowed to phone? Perhaps with a password that is only ever to be used in absolute emergencies.

I don't know just a thought.

Interested to know what others think

No because it's good for them to not have access to phones for a few days! Plus there's the concern around taking and sharing photos of eachother and online bullying.
In an emergency teachers will contact parents.
My DDs have never had mobiles on residential school trips, I wouldn't expect it until they're GCSE age at least

Nothing like a phone call home to trigger homesickness.

What emergency do you think there might be, that DC would need to contact you over, but staff wouldn't?

No, the last thing my kids would want to do on a school trip is call home. It's you who wants it not the kids

No, I think this is more about the parents' anxieties than the childrens' and it's good for the parents to learn to detach a little.

I'm presuming they're primary aged so I think no phones is the right decision from the school.

In the event of an emergency the school would have your number and would contact you themselves.

There's no way a child would have a phone that should only be used for emergencies...and actually only use it for emergencies!

I'm sure your child is having a ball...I have fond memories of all the school residential trips I went on and never had the slightest desire to call my parents - she'll be absolutely fine 🙂

Sounds like you want a phone call more for your own benefit rather than your kids?

I have taken many children on residentials. This would be an absolute nightmare to be honest.

If there is an emergency I assume the school would contact me.

No it would cause chaos. Some are home sick and get over it quite quickly. A phone call home makes it worse.

I don't really think they should be allowed phones. If I child really wants to call home I'm sure they would allow it (I'm sure ours said as much). But I don't think it's actually helpful. If I child is feeling homesick that will only make them feel worse. If they are having problems with other children they need to speak to a teacher there who can actually do something about it.

I think the risk of SA is incredibly low and it's sad that parents are withholding kids for this reason. There are hundreds of kids there, sharing rooms. The chances of any adult being alone with any of the kids for any amount of time is surely minimal.

Aye imagine trying to arrange or every child so 30-60 children to even have a 5
minute phone call. Then the fall out from the children who’s parents didn’t answer, or the child who’s now homesick or the child who screams that 5 minutes isn’t long enough.

either send them or don’t.

I think it’s very normal to feel like you do, we have got so used to being able to contact kids, track kids, chat to kids wherever and whenever. However, the no phones rule really does help the kids settle. It helps avoid homesickness or making it worse, it stops sly photo taking and social media sharing and basically acts as a leveller. Any emergency will be called in by the teachers and if a kid has a serious issue then off course the teachers will deal with that and call someone if appropriate.

Having worked at a residential centre it makes homesickness a million times worse if children call home, even for children who weren't previously homesick. They are far better off having parents out of sight and mind, perhaps writing a postcard home part way through. It is often the parents that need reassuring and put unnecessary worries into the child's head, a child should never be held responsible for their parents emotions.

In terms of SA that is far more likely to happen in your own home or the home of someone you know.

If there is an emergency teachers will just call home and you'll be expected to go and collect them or meet half way if the teacher has transport available to them.

It's your anxiety talking, your child doesn't need to phone home to reassure you, I know I am harsh but no news is good news let them have fun with their friends if there was a problem someone would be In touch.

Depends what age, but my experience over 30 years of teaching is that phone calls are far more upsetting than not. They make emotions worse for kids and parents alike.

And no kid should be given a safe word for emergencies, I've known 12 year olds who believe that forgetting their water bottle is a genuine emergency, so their parent drove 2 hours each way as the kids couldn't use any water bottle except their own.

SA from whom? Their own teachers? If they have so little trust why send them into class with these same adults everyday?

We used to go on trips pre mobile phone we all trooped to the payphone for a quick call I don't see why with today's modern technology it can't be easier

And no it didn't make homesickness worse

But from a safety point of view, should they not be allowed to phone? Perhaps with a password that is only ever to be used in absolute emergencies

What kind of emergency would need them to phone their parents rather than speaking to a teacher.

It would be a bit of a nightmare having to facilitate hundreds of phone calls home!

I used to run residential courses for young people and we had a strict no phones rule and phone calls home where only if a child really needed it or there was a problem.

Phones caused all sorts of problems and contact with parents made homesickness worse for many and led to many parents interfering

The whole point of year 6 residentials is to boost their independence and confidence away from parents. This is what they absolutely need developmentally at that age. Not mummy crying down the phone telling them how much she misses them.

Children have been going on residential trips for years with no phoning home. If they did one phone call would have half the class in tears. You can't help from home what would you do an emergency dash to give them a cuddle and tuck them in?

The visits are thoroughly risk assessed for yr 6 the children are not sleeping alone. If they got hurt....or more likely misbehaved you would have a phone call.

YABU.

I've not heard of parents not sending their kids on residential because of the risk of SA which must be incredibly rare. Do they think it's the staff that might assault their children? I'd be really worried if I was sending my child to a school when this was a concern for me. It would not help the children at all if they could ring home. It is much better for them to immerse themselves in the trip with their friends and teachers; learning to be independent and those self reliance skills are so crucial. Some do get homesick but their friends are always so sweet and the teachers are trained and used to these type of scenarios. It would definitely be more for the parents than the children to have them call home.
Of course it's totally up to parents if they want to send their children away. Its a real rite of passage for kids; mine loved their residentials (apart from my DS on her French exchange trip in Y8 I think it was which she hated!)