Residential trip to France age 10 too young

[J578]

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?

If he isn't bothered I would let him stay home. One of mine wasn't bothered and only went because they didn't want to miss out. It was only a few days and in the UK but they hated it and still get teary occasionally. Really wasn't worth it. There are really only 4 scenarios:
Going and loving it
Going and regretting it
Staying and being ok with it
Staying and regretting it
Have an open discussion with him now and then decide together.
Long term it doesn't matter, he'll be fine whatever he decides to do.

There are some excellent government schemes for primary children to experience school visits abroad all paid so that poorer families can join in.The staff at school are outstanding and one visited the hotel and sponsored school at half term to prepare and check everything. They have a What's App group with parents and loads of photos are shared. It's good to start young before prejudices have started.

I did it at that age and hated every minute. I cried most of the nights and sometimes during the day. I am sure I made the teachers mad.

Dont send him if he doesn’t want to go. He will get nothing from it.

Too young.
Mine know not to ask for trips abroad - we only go as a family.

Big PGL style summer camps for French kids is fairly common, bit like the USA. So for me I'd be reasonably comfortable if he was in bespoke accommodation that's been set up for this sort of thing with appropriate on site support from a local team in case of medical emergency and not being housed with exchange families. 10 feels a bit young to rock up and stay with complete strangers who speak a different language.

Presumably the school isn't proposing to schlep them all the way to the south of France on a bus. Parts of France would be quicker to get to from London than Norfolk would be.

Passport will be an extra cost if he doesn't have a valid one. They're about £60-70 now I think.

A 5 day trip to France at the start of Y6 in state primary school is fairly normal here too. Not every primary school in the area by any means but quite a few. It’s not compulsory but in my experience most children do go. If it’s at the start of Y6 it’s quite a bonding experience and your child may feel they’ve missed out if they don’t go. Definitely talk to your child’s teacher if you’re concerned. You know your child best and if it’s not right for them.

It might be for yours but it certainly wouldn’t be for mine! It’s France not Australia 😄.

Some parents are so over protective - very sad 😢

I did two residentials in year 5 and 6, neither overseas but the other end of the UK and they were fabulous: some of the best times of my life and I still have clear and happy memories of them well over 40 years later. I think these trips are so good for kids. And I can't see why being in France is fundamentally that much bitter of a deal. I wouldn't hesitate.

What they don't even feel they can ask? That's really depressing. You realise at some point they will want to do things without the "family" and they will be in much better shape to do so if they've had some practice in a safe environment beforehand.

Why would you deny your child this opportunity?

When my kids were at middle school (yrs 5-8) it was a UK residential in year 5 and a Normandy residential in year 6.

Really quite depressing and selfish that you openly limit your children’s life experiences.

Not the norm for me growing up or DD now. She had a 3 day (ish?!) residential a few hours away in year 6. Maybe postponed due to Covid. That made me nervous enough so I think France would be a bit much. Also could be first time abroad and that should be with parents really.

DC (year six) went abroad on a school skiing trip at the end of last term. Half of the kids went, the other half stayed home. I know that for some of them it was because they thought their children were too young. Between now and Year 6 your child will mature a lot. But you know your child and if you don’t think they are ready for a trip abroad (when it would be harder to bring them back if they were home sick) then that is entirely up to you. Why not wait back a bit and see if the majority commit?

Ds went to France skiing for a week in year 5 and absolutely loved it. If he isn't keen, don't book it

Would you be worried if it was the UK? If not then why would France be an issue. ? Id have no issue with this at all. My brother did a y6 trip to France

My eldest went away for a 3 day residential age 10 and loved it. My youngest went on a 2 day residential age 10 and hated it and was desperately homesick. It very much depends on the child.

He has focal epilepsy, which is well managed. But if he ended up in a French hospital without me that worries me a lot!

My children's school did this is in Year 6. I wasn't comfortable with it and luckily for me they didn't want to go anyway! I would have had to seriously consider it if they did, of course.

The schools almost always bring a trip doctor with them - typically a medically qualified parent. Plus it’s only France, realistically you could be there within a few hours if necessary.

My elder DS did a 10 day kayaking adventure holiday in France at 10 with his school. He loved it.

Which schools have a Doctor they can take on a school trip ?

He'd probably get better treatment

The school would have arrangements for medical care

I went to France in equivalent Y5 and skiing in Italy on year 6 (sounds fancy but was a bog standard primary school) .that's was 40+ years ago though! Seems a bit young when I think of my own kids but I had a great time as far as I can remember.

You're joking. Where in earth do you live where school trips take a doctor and a medically qualified parent?

In 40 years of teaching I've never heard of anyone medically trained accompanying a trip (though one staff member at least will have a basic first aid certificate)

Not a chance.