Residential next week

[Sunshineandalltherainbows]

My son is 10 and in year 6. He is supposed to be going on a residential next week. This was booked last year to make up for missed residential in year 4.

We are only on day 4 of school and I know from parents that there have been 5 positive cases in the last two days.
This is making me really anxious about letting him go on the trip. What if he comes down with it when he's away from home.
I'm surprised they arnt re-scheduling it.
It does seem to be rife in the school. A senior leader and teacher in the infants are now off with suspected covid as well.

My DD, also Year 6, is on a residential this week. Kids were asked to do LFTs the day before going to try and identify anyone who might become ill during the trip. They're due back tomorrow and no problems so far.

The risk assessment basically says they're all one bubble (not that we have bubbles anymore) and if anyone gets ill or becomes symptomatic they all pile back onto the coach and come straight home. Presumably the same will happen with your DC's trip?

I'm honestly glad they've at least been able to go. The Year 6 residential is normally overseas but thankfully it was changed to a UK one. As long as they're still on the UK mainland, any problems can be dealt with (even if it involves a long drive for a parent, or an early return for the whole group).

I hate the thought of DD becoming ill while a long way from home, but at the end of the day that's always a possibility with school trips. If she gets COVID she'll probably be a bit sniffly. Better than coming down with e.g. norovirus on a school residential!

I currently have COVID and feel bloody awful. However, if I didn't and I was in your position I would still let my child go.

These trips are important for them learning independence, socially with their friends and to not miss out. Like pp says, the school will have risk assessments and you can always remind your child about the impotence of hand washing to help too. I would prob pack them antibac wipes and gel for when they can use it.

If worst came to it and your child became unwell then they would need to come home. Although I'm not one and don't know all the stats, children I know haven't had it bad at all, more like a bad cold if anything.

I would let them ok and have fun

*importance

When a child has become unwell in a residential (primary age) parents are requested to go and collect. I expect same would happen here.

If you are really anxious then don't let him go.

Not sure what else you can do.

@BlibBlabBlob

The risk assessment basically says they're all one bubble (not that we have bubbles anymore) and if anyone gets ill or becomes symptomatic they all pile back onto the coach and come straight home. Presumably the same will happen with your DC's trip?

You have to be kidding?? That sounds like a particularly stupid idea!! Far better to get a parent to collect them & keep them away from the other kids!

@Sunshineandalltherainbows

I'd let them go. In Y6 with the current 'no measures' situation, I can't see it being any more risky than a classroom etc

I'd make sure they knew to ring me and I'd collect if they were at all unwell and wanted to come home (or even if they didn't & the teachers thought they should!!)

It's good to get a different perspective. It seems I have been overly anxious. Thanks everyone.

@AmelieLovesAutumn yep it's not exactly ideal: ringing a parent to collect them if ill makes WAY more sense. But they've gone a loooong way away (6-8 hours in the car) so parental collection is much less straightforward. I'd have been much happier if their trip had been within an hour's drive from school, but there you go. Given that she was desperate to go (serious FOMO) I had to swallow my worries and let her.

As it happens, she did feel ill on Weds night apparently! Sore throat. A teacher made her do an LFT which was negative, and I guess a sore throat isn't on the official list of symptoms that require a PCR test anyway. Seemed fine again the following morning. I didn't hear about this until an hour ago, when they were already travelling back, because they didn't want to worry me. Not entirely sure how I feel about that, I'd have been worried sick if they'd called me on Weds and they'd have said not to come but I'd have felt I should. Nobody wants their (very big now, but still) baby feeling poorly without getting comfort from their mum.

And as you say, we're basically in a 'no measures' situation now. Confirmed cases of COVID in three year groups already at DD's school, and I'm sure more will follow. Both pupils and teachers. I wouldn't want to be the headteacher right now, trying to keep every year group open while staff are off sick and trying to provide some sort of remote learning for the kids self-isolating at home while also keeping everything business as usual in school.

My DS went on a residential trip last week. The school asked them to do daily LFTs. He had a wonderful time. I am so pleased that our children are getting some of the 'normal' experiences that they have missed for so long.

While your concerns are valid, there has to be balance. I hope that your DS has the best time - and that you manage to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet!