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Original poster

School trip still going ahead today with parent helpers?

37 replies

Churchillian · 17/03/2020 08:15

My daughter’s school trip is still going ahead today - it’s to a local mostly outdoor attraction around 45 minutes away on a coach. However I’ve just found out that the plan is that several parents will also be going along on the trip and on the coach. Surely this should now be cancelled? Would you still let your child go? I’m very close to saying that she can’t go and will need to stay in school. She doesn’t have any health issues.

OP posts:
PhilipJennings · 17/03/2020 08:17

I would let my child go. I would think the school will do an urgent risk assessment again this morning and they may decide against it, but if it's to an outdoor location that might balance the risk. The children and helpers are probably not in more than usual danger than they would normally be from doing school drop off.

PurpleDaisies · 17/03/2020 08:17

This should have been cancelled.

ElizabethMainwaring · 17/03/2020 08:20

Schools are existing in a parallel universe at the moment. It's madness.

AvoidingRealHumans · 17/03/2020 08:20

If you don't want your child to go then take back your permission.
The schools will be following strict government advice so if they go ahead with it it must mean the risk is low.

Original poster
Churchillian · 17/03/2020 08:21

Really? School have introduced social distancing at drop off, So parents don’t go into classrooms cancelled assemblies and events, but not this?

OP posts:
ElizabethMainwaring · 17/03/2020 08:24

@AvoidingRealHumans.
What is 'the strict government guidance' that has been given to schools?

Graceymac99 · 17/03/2020 08:27

That’s madness given what’s happening at the moment. Boris advised yesterday that non essential journeys and contacts should be avoided. I am living overseas, we aren’t going out other than to the supermarket. I know it is difficult when you have to send your children to school but putting them all in a bus for 45 mins plus a extra few adults is totally irresponsible.

backaftera2yearbreak · 17/03/2020 08:28

My son went to PGL yesterday. For how long now I don’t know.

PurpleDaisies · 17/03/2020 08:28

Also, it makes people much more likely not to adhere to the new guidelines. If school children are off on trips, why should they not go to a pub?

Original poster
Churchillian · 17/03/2020 08:29

We live in a city with lots of students and several confirmed cases.

OP posts:
Lotuscup563 · 17/03/2020 08:29

Madness!

Lovelydovey · 17/03/2020 08:29

Our school is open but assemblies and other large gatherings have been suspended as have school trips.

WaterSheep · 17/03/2020 08:31

What is 'the strict government guidance' that has been given to schools?

Another one who would be interested to hear this.

OP how many children are going on the trip, and what sort of outdoor attraction is it?

IsolationMum · 17/03/2020 08:31

Crazy.

Isadora2007 · 17/03/2020 08:31

If the school is open the kids will be next to each other anyway. Teachers are expected to be next to the kids too- so why not other parents?

Nquartz · 17/03/2020 08:32

My friend's son is due to go on a residential Thursday but she doesn't want him to go & can't afford to lose the money Sad

Nquartz · 17/03/2020 08:33

I assume there are implications for the school if they cancel without being told to do so

dottiedodah · 17/03/2020 08:44

Our friends in US have said all the Schools there are closed .I cant understand the thinking that keeping ours open until Easter hols TBH. Parents are in an impossible position here! If you have doubts ,just keep her at home .Does she want to go?How old is she ,does she understand the risks ? As PP said this sets a dangerous precedant as well as gatherings of large groups are being advised against .

Original poster
Churchillian · 17/03/2020 09:22

There will be 2 classes on the trip so c50 kids and 2 teachers with an unknown number of parent helpers on a coach for C45 minutes each way. We live in a city which has several cases of CV. We’ve paid for the trip and I accept that we will lose that money. The attraction itself is a nature reserve and centre and is mostly outdoors, so I’m not so worried about that, it’s the close proximity on the coach.

OP posts:
IsolationMum · 17/03/2020 09:29

@Nquartz "can't afford to lose the money" - that doesn't make any sense, the money is gone whether he goes or not. She might feel annoyed at the money being wasted but that's not the same as not being able to afford it.

ElizabethMainwaring · 17/03/2020 09:31

I understand your concerns, but they are in close proximity at school too. It's no different, except that they are in close proximity for one and a half hours in the coach rather than all day in classroom, dining hall, toilets.
I'd be keeping them off school full stop.

elQuintoConyo · 17/03/2020 09:33

Fuck that shit. I'd be keeping them off school from today.

Duchessofblandings · 17/03/2020 09:34

No, keep her at home. She may not have health issues, thankfully, but can you guarantee she won’t encounter anyone who does after returning from the irresponsible trip?

ElizabethMainwaring · 17/03/2020 09:36

Duchess, I should imagine that the child has gone on the trip already from reading op's later posts.

ElizabethMainwaring · 17/03/2020 09:38

The trip is no more 'irresponsible' than the way schools are being expected to carry on regardless, other than the washing of hands.