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AIBU?

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Original poster

Residential trip to France age 10 too young

112 replies

J578 · 20/01/2025 14:43

My 10 year old is due to go on a residential trip to France at the beginning of year 6 (this sep) he will still be 10.
it’s for 5 days, going ny coach so around a 9 hr journey.
my son isn’t too keen on going so we haven’t paid the deposit yet, but worries he may miss out.
AIBU to think this is a bit young to be doing an overseas residential?

OP posts:
hydriotaphia · 20/01/2025 15:13

If he has enjoyed a 3 day residential I don't think he will struggle with a 5 day one. I would encourage him to go.

Caroparo52 · 20/01/2025 15:14

Went to France overnight in year 6. Fabulous experience. Still remember it

ClosetBasketCase · 20/01/2025 15:15

I did, I was a young year 6, so my birthday wasnt untill the end of june. I was 10, had the time of my life and was totally fine! the rule on ours was that if you didn't go on the trip, you still had to go to school - everyone went!

CheeryOtter · 20/01/2025 15:17

As a 10yo, I had the opportunity to go to France for a week with school and loved it! The children were all year 5 or 6 and very few got homesick. He'll remember it forever, I'd encourage him to go personally but you know him best.

user2848502016 · 20/01/2025 15:18

I think that's quite young. In my DDs school they do a 2 night residential at a camp 1h drive away in year 5 then a 3 night in the UK in year 6.
My eldest DD is going skiing with school next winter, she's year 9. I think that's about the right age.

Bulletpointers · 20/01/2025 15:20

My 10 year old wouldn't go without a parent. Just doesn't feel comfortable. And I would respect that.

MarioLink · 20/01/2025 15:23

Residentials in the UK are often from 8 so with kids and teachers he knows I think abroad at 10 sounds fine. My daughter would love it and I would love for her to have that opportunity.

TickingAlongNicely · 20/01/2025 15:23

Some Primary schools seem OTT and competitive with residential trips these days.. mine had 3 days in Yr6 (my eldest didn't even get that due to Covid) but friends school take them away in Yr3, 4,5 and 6! Some parents struggled with the one payment.

However... if you can afford it and he wants to go... let him. Many children do enjoy the trips.

crumblingschools · 20/01/2025 15:24

Has he been abroad before?

Snorlaxo · 20/01/2025 15:28

My kids did 1 night stays in y3 and y4, 3 nights in year 5 and 4 nights in y6. None were abroad because it would be too costly and time
consuming to get to France.

My kids would be happy with 4 nights and going to France but wouldn’t be overjoyed at the prospect of a 9 hour coach trip as they were prone to travel sickness but they’d suck it up because they’d have FOMO if they didn’t go.

lespameo · 20/01/2025 15:40

Wow! My twins are in year 5 and will be going on a 2 night residential 45 mins away in March and then 2 nights in year 6 slightly further afield. 5 night in France? Way too young and surprised that others think that's 'the norm'. It's certainly not where I am from.

GabriellaMontez · 20/01/2025 16:10

It's certainly not the norm where I am. But we are many hours from a ferry.

It would be a very long, miserable coach journey.

I wouldn't dream of sending a year 6 on a trip like that. Ours did a 3 night residential, about a 2 hour drive away.

Neveragain35 · 20/01/2025 16:14

It’s not the norm here but I know of several schools that do it. I don’t think a coach ride to France is much different to a residential in the UK. What a fabulous experience for them- if my DC school had offered it and I could afford it I would have sent them.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 20/01/2025 16:20

In the early 70s, age 10 (Year 5) went to Wales for a week, coach and train (train hit a cow, now there's a story), wood huts, poured of rain, brilliant time being made to walk through flooded forests. Age 11 (Year 6), off to Beccles, YHA this time, again for a week, great fun and I really gained from the trips and helped with the much longer coach trip to Germany a couple of years later, which still pops up in conversations with old school friends, not for our behaviour, but that of a couple of the teachers!!!

Everyone I know that went on school trips remembers them fondly and its a part of the process of growing up, being carted off somewhere with the school!

mindutopia · 20/01/2025 16:21

Mine went in Year 6 (she was 11, but I guess some could be 10). Honestly, it was a wonderful experience for her and all of them. There were a lot of very hesitant parents and definitely tears from the kids heading off (interestingly, mostly from the ‘tough boy’ types). But it was truly wonderful. Even the ones whose parents were really worried came bounding off the coaches when we collected them saying what a blast they had.

The travel also was fine. 5 hours in coach to the port, overnight ferry, maybe 1 hour to accommodation on the other side. They’re 10/11, much more resilient than us!

Obviously, it’s quite expensive, but if you can swing it, I really would consider encouraging him to go. It’s a real growth experience for them.

Fwiw, mine is off to Germany for a week with school this year in Y7. Both state schools and very ordinary ones at that.

ALunchbox · 20/01/2025 16:25

What is your son's reason for not wanting to go? Has he been on trips away from you before? My only worry would be that he regrets it afterwards.

CeeJay81 · 20/01/2025 16:30

Not the norm here. 2 day residential at one of the Urdd activity centres in year 5/6( about an hour or so away). No foreign trips until high school.

It's quite young to be away 5 days but only you know your child. My dd year 6 would think it was really exciting and want to go.

Lynjo · 20/01/2025 16:33

My granddaughter is currently in Delhi on a school trip , age 10 year 5. She went skiing to France last year. Village primary school not private. They begin with one night away locally in year 3. There are also opportunities to visit Dubai and Madrid as well as a year 6 trip to Ireland and other local stays. It works very well and gives confidence and resilience.

ExtraOnions · 20/01/2025 16:33

My DDs Primary (state school) did this in Y6 … they all had a great time.

Nogaxeh · 20/01/2025 16:40

I did an overseas residential trip at that age with my school, to Paris. Perfectly normal at that age.

BBQPete · 20/01/2025 17:10

I'm not generally a cautious, or anxious parent, but I don't see the point in trying to take them abroad as a school trip, before secondary age.

I think they can miss out when everyone else does something they haven't, but I wonder if it would be "everyone else". Combination of other parents thinking it is a bit much for 10 yr olds, and also the cost.

Plus, wouldn't that clash with all the secondary school open evenings ?

OzCalling · 20/01/2025 17:16

Not too young whatsoever. DD was 10 when she went on a school ski trip to Italy - despite some initial nerves she had an absolutely fantastic time and it was great for her to gain a bit more independence and confidence.

OzCalling · 20/01/2025 17:17

BBQPete · 20/01/2025 17:10

I'm not generally a cautious, or anxious parent, but I don't see the point in trying to take them abroad as a school trip, before secondary age.

I think they can miss out when everyone else does something they haven't, but I wonder if it would be "everyone else". Combination of other parents thinking it is a bit much for 10 yr olds, and also the cost.

Plus, wouldn't that clash with all the secondary school open evenings ?

Why would it be pointless?

BBQPete · 20/01/2025 17:31

I just think emotionally, the younger the pupils are, the more support they would need.
I also think they would get less out of it than they would when older.

Strangered · 20/01/2025 17:35

I think schools are brave or insane taking these young kids abroad. I would be in such a state of anxiety looking after the children as a teacher! I am sure most kids love it, but surely the teachers have a breakdown?!!

I can’t believe children are taken to Delhi and Dubai from state schools. Really?!

Apologies for so many !!!