Can't afford school trip

[Lillybeans85]

My son really wants to go on his year 6 residential but the cost is £600 for a Mon-Fri stay. This is a lot higher than I expected and we really can't afford it at the moment. He goes to a state school but everyone in his class is really well off & money seems no object to them. My husband works & we get a small top up of universal credit a month due to his income. However, we would not be eligible for free school meals or anything. I feel really awkward and embarrassed emailing the school to ask for help & don't even know if we would get it. Has anyone else been in the same situation?

My Y6 dd just went on hers and it was a similar price. To add insult to injury, she hated every second and says she is never going on a residential again 🥴

Anyway, yes, ask the school. It is ridiculous money. We are also in an affluent area and could afford it, but it wasn't like we didn't miss the money at all. I do think places running them are taking the piss tbh

I used to be a teacher, not any more.

I’m not offended. But whenever residential school trips costs are mentioned, someone always comes along to say that the reason it’s so high is that you have to cover the cost of the teachers, the suggestion being that this is unfair on the parents and that if the teachers would just pay for themselves the cost to parents would be lower. I was just pointing out the reasons it’s not reasonable to expect teachers to pay for themselves.

What!?!? Skiing for us is year 10 only and they go to Italy - £1250 all in.

How do you manage that?

There is no way on this planet teacher should pay for themselves. Who says that? They'd need to be certifiable

As i said i have no clue what is what with schools.
Just going on what family and friends tell me that have children.
And mumsnet of course.

We camp, and have built up our equipment over the years. It’s the only way we can afford to go away. We are well equipped though, I wouldn’t want to do it without electric etc

Parents complain it’s so expensive because they have to fund the teachers. Presumably, what they mean is they’d like a price reduction by the teachers paying their own way. Sometimes it’s explicitly said, sometimes it’s comments like the above (though it seems this poster is not a parent) - ‘goes to show, the parents was not dishing out for the teachers’ - implication being that it’s not fair on parents paying for teachers. But if the parents don’t, who does?

Speak to the school is a must because it was about that much for our eldest two Yr 6 trips but also had to buy weather proof clothing, shoes, etc so it won't just be £600.

It’s about average. Ours is the same for yr 6. Dd is in yr 4 and I’ve been payin a little each month towards it for the past year - also have yr 5 and a night away which I think is £160. That is almost a paid for and one it is I will chip away at yr6

but yes talk to the head and pastural care officer to see if they can help either by paying a chunk or pay over months like I am

That would be the end of any school trips….
i went on an overseas school trip last year with 50 14/15 year olds. I literally got zero sleep. They were in and out of each others rooms all night. They were constantly trying to order take away and go out of the hostel. The 15 hour coach journey home was a nightmare. I had food poisoning and then a week later realised I had brought bed bugs home….

And I bet you have an amazing time.

If I’m honest it was hard work for me when the dcs were young (I’m a single parent), but now that they are older it’s brilliant. They’ve always loved it, and said camping holidays have been their favourite. We did have some holidays abroad when they were younger, funded by my lovely parents, but they always talk about our camping ones

You are building everlasting memories. They will cherish these fun holidays forever. Hope you can continue them for many years …

It is a bonkers amount. I don't understand why the school didn't have an option to pay over time.

Please please ask the school. Do you qualify for pupil premium? They will absolutely allow you to pay this off over a manageable period. I had to pay over small instalments for the PGL trip. If it can’t be done then don’t stress it, they do lots of lovely activities and relaxed days for the kids who don’t go. However, do ask. They will be so used to this. I work in a school.

Expecting ordinary parents in the current climate to pay £600 for a school trip for 10/11 year olds is a bloody disgrace. I could afford it but I can't believe schools think this is acceptable. I think trips like this either need to be free or cancelled altogether.

You can talk to the school and also ask for slower payments potentially, you say only your dh works, could you return to work?

I am a teacher who organises trips and the cost has just gone up so much, I actually find it embarrassing asking parents for so much money but unfortunately that is what they cost.
I agree you should speak to the school, they may have a hardship fund available and will be discreet and happy to help if they can. There may know of a grant or other help available.
Also, could you ask family to contribute towards the trip instead of buying Christmas presents?

Talk to the school, I would try and make the trip happen.

Could you find work so you could save to pay for your son's trip, OP?

I was in this situation and approached the school - they were wonderful. We agreed to pay half and school would pay half. DS was slightly older and managed to earn some pocket money to put towards the trip - the sum involved was a negligible contribution, but the principle was important.
Harsh lesson to learn that not everything comes on a plate. Maybe your child could put a small part of any Christmas/birthday money towards the trip, or do small pocket money jobs for friends or relatives.

I agree that a huge amount of the cost will be for the coach!

£600 is far to much - will they be staying at the Ritz?

The local village primary holds fund-raising events to make sure everyone in the class can go, and the PSA subsidizes where needed.

Speak to the school - say you get UC, I am sure there will be a way of helping.

£600 seems a large amount for a year 6 schools trip. I really feel for you OP the others in similar positions, I think this demonstrates the problem that the trips are provided free for those on some form of support and those families who are just above or in middle income brackets struggle to afford these types of events.