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Covid

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Original poster

Cancelled school trip

18 replies

TeslaGirls · 13/03/2020 10:52

We have just had the news that DD's school trip abroad has been cancelled to my relief that was due to happen over Easter. The head has been rather non-committal re refunds etc as I guess they have to wait for insurance companies to decide on what they are doing. So, and I know this will be complete speculation, but do people think there is any chance of a refund? It's an independent school.

OP posts:

Idontwant2 · 13/03/2020 11:05

My DD’s school trip abroad has been cancelled as they were due to fly out on Thursday next week. We have been told all the money will be refunded within a few weeks

Mamato2gorgeousboys · 13/03/2020 11:26

The reason BJ officially cancelled all school trips is so that travel companies and/or insurance have to repay parents. Without an official announcement, the decision would have been left to each school and they would have been in an impossible situation as some parents would say go, some would say cancel. If it were cancelled, you could bet your bottom dollar that some would demand a refund and would be screaming at the school that they have stolen their money and going to the papers etc. The school otherwise wouldn’t have been covered and they don’t have the money to pay parents out of their own pockets.

Hearthside · 13/03/2020 11:31

My DC's ski trip has just been cancelled today but we had already talked about it and they didn't want to go .Probably be some parents that would been happy for it to carry on but it is for the best.

blackteaplease · 13/03/2020 11:33

I expect that you will get a refund as the government have restricted the school trips. The announcement was only made last night though, your school will need some time to go through this with the insurance and travel agent. Teachers are busy teaching in the day and may not have had time yet to deal with this change.

slothbyday · 13/03/2020 11:34

The school near us was waiting for the fco to update their website this morning before they could arrange insurance payouts.

Original poster

TeslaGirls · 13/03/2020 11:42

Thanks all It's not a huge amount but we'll put it towards a more expensive trip next year.

OP posts:

KoalasandRabbit · 13/03/2020 11:42

I'm quite relieved our Italy one is finally being cancelled - was very worried mainly for the older male teacher with heart problems who was being sent with them.

Ours was just at deposit stage so will definitely get above that. Rest school has told me they are trying to recover from insurance and / or tour company. Whether they can get out of it through terms and conditions, suspect maybe, but would imagine they may pay out anyway. Very glad they finally saw sense over school trips.

KoalasandRabbit · 13/03/2020 12:52

Tour company say they are not paying out:

www.rayburntours.com/blog/2020/03/13/covid-19-important-information-about-your-school-trip/

Said try insurance they may or may not pay out.

ruralliving19 · 13/03/2020 12:56

I'm still waiting for confirmation from my DD's school that her French ski trip due to leave on the 21st is cancelled - and probably the French residential on 28th April too. I'm assuming it is though.

KoalasandRabbit · 13/03/2020 14:06

Our school have just messaged to say all international school trips are going ahead including to Italy with the 60 year old teacher with heart issues.

blackteaplease · 13/03/2020 16:49

@KoalasandRabbit when is your trip? If you are just at deposit stage it sounds a way off yet, the current advice is for immenint trips.

Madcats · 13/03/2020 17:02

DD was supposed to be off skiing in France at the end of the month. Her (private) school have cancelled all international trips at Easter and are trying to get insurance money back. The kids are gutted.

The residential element is with quite a big French hotel/hostel (for 100s) which still seems to open (though my schoolgirl French is translating their tweets).

More of a dilemma for us is DH and I had planned a trip away, ourselves, pieced together with lots of different parts (mostly not refundable). I am trying to decide whether to toss a coin and just one of us go or spring DD from the last few days of term and try to have her tag along. Our nearest relatives are all elderly, so I can't expect them to come to house-sit and childmind.

First world problem, but this could turn out to be a very costly year.

KoalasandRabbit · 13/03/2020 17:42

It's first week of June, full amount due on Friday. Head sent letter today saying trip going ahead, would review just before departure, parents should pay full amount by Friday.

Obviously situation is predicted to worsen and already dire so no way do I want her going and prefer trip as whole cancelled. Kids told at school today school may close imminently so there may be no school in UK in June. I asked teacher incharge of Italy trip what's happening and he says plan is to cancel later as currently insurance won't refund as FCO / government is not end dated just says all trips until further notice so insurance are only paying out for March / April trips. Think I will cancel now rather than risk losing full amount if insurers refuse claim. Travel agents has put a notice up saying they won't help, contact insurers or ask Dept. of Education for money. Good luck with DfE. My DD is gutted too but it's extraordinary times, summer holiday looks like going the same way, Thailand just announced 14 day quarantine of anyone from UK though they change policy by Minister and by the day.

Rhapsodyinpurple · 13/03/2020 17:45

My son was meant to be going on an expensive school trip abroad at Easter. We have paid for it over 2 years. No idea how the refund will be paid or if we will lose the deposit. He is relieved it is cancelled.

KoalasandRabbit · 14/03/2020 17:08

We are losing deposit but getting rest of money back. Insurer refused to refund for Italy and travel company refused to help. Part of problem was it was early June. Insurer may have paid out for March or April. We had option to pay full amount (3 times) as much and take our chances on full refund from insurer but not certain they would. Think would only refund if FCO advice is don't travel at that time to the country concerned. Too much of a gamble for us.

myfriendflicka9 · 15/03/2020 16:52

DS is supposed to go on a school trip to South Africa next week and the school (private School) have still not decided whether or not to cancel it. Apparently the government advice is just that..”advice”....but I am so worried they get stuck out there or put in quarantine as it would only take one child with a fever for that to happen. I think I may need to stomach the loss (and it was a very expensive trip) as I just don’t think I am comfortable letting him go.....

KoalasandRabbit · 15/03/2020 18:50

South Africa is closing its borders to UK on 18th March just reported on BBC.

KoalasandRabbit · 15/03/2020 18:52

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51895276

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