to expect my DD's school to take them on their school trip safely?

[louloulouise]

I'm not sure what to do - they're going on a school trip soon presumably in a coach but not a thing has been mentioned about car seats?

What usually happens on these things? I've had to pay £8 for the priviledge of them taking DD on this trip and they've not mentioned anything about how they will be securing them safely in the coach.

This is reception btw so DD 5.5y

The coach will have seat belts.

The school will look after your child.

I doubt very much they "demanded" the £8 but if you resent paying it, then don't.

as others have said if not enough people pay then the trip would have to be cancelled.

I've always squeezed the shopping budget a little to pay for my DS's trips as I'm (just about) able to. It means that the school has to pay for fewer places for children whose parents can't afford it at all.

SGM, I was sick on a school trip. I don't volunteer anymore. The shame. Luckily my children were not there.

I've paid £11 (plus an extra £2 for a "goody bag" about the goody bag but DS1 asked me sooooo nicely if I could pay for that too) for DS1 (yr3) to go to Duxford tomorrow with school.

I'm about to go into town and scour the charity shops for a long(ish) pair of "smart" shorts to go with his checked shirt to make sure he's dressed up as a 1940's evacuee..

The things we do for our kids

I joined my son on his early school trips (because he has sn) and always great care was taken to check each seat belt was done up. Head counts occured at every opportunity. My son now goes to a sn school which uses minibuses and booster/car seats are used by smaller children and those that need the physical support.

Yes they did demand the money, anyone who couldn't afford it had to go an explain themselves to the headmistress. The letter was a definate 'this is how much the trip costs, please give the money to class teacher by XX date'. At no point did it state it was a voluntary contribution so that did get my back up a bit although I was happy to pay it and budgeted to do so.

"ours was a mandatory fee, though, it was not a choice. we were told that unless we are financially in the position to get free dinners, then we were expected to pay."

well in that case they're taking the p*ss.

I think you'll find it's not "explain themselves" - more of a "I can't afford it" - and the head would then say "ok".

Ds1 and DS2's schools (sepereate infant and junior) will try and make sure that all children (presuming they get enough contributions for the trip) go on the "academic" trips, but do say that they can't always guarantee that they can help with the "fun" trips

The letter actually said "we demand you pay the money and if you can't you must see the head to explain yourselves?

Maybe, see the head and something will be worked out to enable your child to participate.

ermm SGM - you've got me there - thankfully I have 3 boys so don't have such problems.

Although we were asked if we could provide the costume for our child if they were taking part in the schools Bugsy Malone performance at the start of July - black trousers, white shirt, waistcoat and cap (not baseball)........

Thankfully on the form we had to send back there was a box to tick for "I am unable to provide a costume for my DC"

SGM, they have some in Dorothy Perkins. Would the small be far too big?

Why did it get your back up loulou? Do you not think the trip is worth £8?

The letter said 'Trip on xx date will cost £8 (reduced from £9.xx due to fundraising by PTA) please make sure all monies a received by xx date. Anyone struggling with this fee will need to discuss this with the headteacher in confidence'. I budgeted and paid, end of - I'm more concerned with how safe my child will be in that coach in the event of an accident, which is what my OP was about.

Hardly demanding and explaining yourself then

I never thought about value for money on the trip, I just paid the amount I was told and was pleased that my DD was so excited to be going on said trip.

FabBakerGirlIsBack -as far as I am concerned, yes it was a demand, there was no hint that this was a voluntary contribution and if I was in circumstances where I couldn't pay the money I would feel humiliated at having to go to the HT and beg off paying it.

I didn't say I resented paying the money I simply said I shelled out for the trip. Yes it was probably irrelevant to the OP but there you go, I added it without thinking.

SGM - here

FAQ you have to tell me how he gets on at Duxford. I am a regular in disguise as I've been discussing my place of work on here and Duxford is part of where I work.

We have zillions of school trips every year and they all come in coaches. I've never heard of any incident, not to say there won't be one one day but there are so many elf and safety hoops that they have to jump through, they will have taken all of this into consideration.

I'm sure you're right, I will speak to the teacher today and hopefully put my mind at rest.

Well if the trip cost £8 each, and half the class didn't pay, it would then cost £16 for those that did pay, or be cancelled! Coaches cost a fortune (hundreds of pounds) so £8 seems reasonable.

And the coach will have seatbelts.

Undercover - I will indeed let you know .

He's looking forward to it, and I did eventually find a pair of knee length grey shorts (think they're actually "girls" school shorts - but hey they were 75p so I'm not complaining), a soft cap (again a woman's I think ) - but it'll do that job for £1.50 , and a pair of long grey sports socks for 10p - he can wear his blue checked shirt to "complete" the look,