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Original poster

Help! School trips and passports!

34 replies

Solo2 · 18/02/2011 20:35

My 9 yr old twins should be going away on their first ever school trip abroad in early May. I've paid already for them to go (the most expensive trip they'll have ever had). As they've never yet been abroad, they don't have passports (can't afford foreign hols as a single mum). Was planning to get them passports in the next month.

Shock, horror! Only just found out a few minutes ago that the school need copies of all passports by a week on Monday after the half-term break!

Those of you who have had DCs on school trips abroad, before, do you know - or indeed any teachers on this list know - if this is just a way of planning ahead for the school and there might be some leeway as to when they need passport copies? or - will they now not be able to go????

Twins are both in inconsolable tears tonight and school uncontactable, as it's half-term and the letters given to the children today, about this have only just been discovered at the bottom of their bags! So we can't even find out whether or not they can go on the trip.

If they can't go, would I be able to get the money back - a massive amount for me? or will the school have booked all places without returnable funds?

Would anyone reading this know any way around this or will we just have to accept that they'll eb the only children in the class - and I think ever - not to be able to go? The entire Yr 5 is going.

OP posts:

Loshad · 18/02/2011 20:54

don't fret, do the applications/photos tomorrow and post them off - they'll almost certainly be back within 2 weeks or less. Then email/write to school and tell them applications are in the post and details will be following soon.
They will need the details before they travel - airlines often ask for them, and they want to avoid disappointing kids whose parents( like myself) who turn up at ferry ports with out of date passports.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 18/02/2011 20:58

Get all he forms and photos sred tomorrow and use the cecking service at the Post Office.

We did this just before Christmas and our passports were back 10 days later. Tell the school that the applications have been submitted and that you'll get the details to them as soon as you have them.

Does the trip involve flying? If so the school will probably need to provide passport details for every passenger but this can be done (ime) up to 24 hours before departure so there's plenty of time yet.

MiraNova · 18/02/2011 20:59

I wouldn't worry, the school is probably just being organised, and as Loshad says just wants to make sure that every child has a passport that is still in date.

I would just put the passport applications in and explain to the school you'll give them the copies as soon as you get them, and I'm sure it will be fine.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 18/02/2011 21:00

Blimey - sorry for all of the spelling mistakes in the first sentance

acebaby · 18/02/2011 21:00

Send off for their passports tomorrow and you will probably get them within a couple of weeks. Ds2 got his first passport within 3 weeks in the height of the holiday season. I am sure the school will understand - they probably just want to ensure that the children have enough time to apply fir valid passports if they don't have them alreay
Really sorry to hear your boys are so upset

Original poster

Solo2 · 18/02/2011 21:31

Thanks. I'm not sure if I can get anyone to do the countersigning the DCs photos tomorrow, that's the problem. Will see what I can do.

The trip doesn't involved flying (Eurostar only) but I expect the school need all details asap for each child. I am now actually feeling furious with the school for suddenly telling us that passport copies must be there for the first day back after half-term. I know they'll have assumed that all children will have passports already but I still don't think they SHOULD have assumed this.

Why did the school have to dump this info. on us when they're now incommunicado for a week?

I'm v daunted by the task of going through and filling in the applications but must make a start now.

The passports form info. says that even if you fast-track and make an appointment at the nearest passport office, you won't get an appointment for at least two weeks!

From what people are saying it sounds like it might still be possible for my DCs to go on the trip but I now need to find a way of getting someone suitable to sign the photos. Most of my friends are SAHMS - and you have to be a professional, currently employed, I think?

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 18/02/2011 21:34

I got an appointment far far quicker than that, like within a few days. I forgot my passport had expired grr and had to travel for work.

If you phone that passport advice line, they will tell you how quickly they can get you an appointment.

It costs a fortune using that same day service.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 18/02/2011 21:40

A Priest, Scout leader, GP (if you know any - I wouldn't try to make an appt!) or friend who is a qualified professional (eg teacher) could countersign the forms.

I wouldn't try to get an appt for the same day service, just get the applications checked at the Post Office and sent off as soon as you can.

There should be some admin staff at the school over half term.. Try ringing them and explaining the situation. They may well know what the situation is and be able to put your (and your ds's) minds at rest.

Loshad · 18/02/2011 21:42

you won';t need an appointment for children - do the check and send at the PO and you will get them back with the fortnight - the sigs are a different matter - pay your GP?, any teacher friends?
just be really careful about filling in the forms - make sure your signature for eg is totally within the white box, that sort of thing.

Saracen · 19/02/2011 04:19

For countersigning, some sort of professional qualification or a person of standing in the community. Teacher, nurse, youth club leader etc. The person doesn't have to be in work at the moment, I don't think, as long as the qualification is current. They also have to have a current British passport.

I think the Post Office check & send should be quick enough, so I wouldn't stress over trekking down to the passport office. You have what, 2 1/2 months before the trip? I bet the school is only asking for copies of passports now in order to have all their ducks in a row for later and kick people into action if, like you, they haven't got current passports. I don't think they really NEED it immediately - if they did, they should've said so before you even booked. There are bound to be other families in your situation.

Saracen · 19/02/2011 04:20

Forgot to add, have you read the instructions carefully to see if you need consent from the children's dad? I think that's sometimes a hassle for single parents.

Original poster

Solo2 · 19/02/2011 06:40

Thanks again. I'm now trying to think fo the best person to use as a counter-signatory for the DCs photos and discover I'm unsure of exactly what jobs/ professions my friends' OHs do! - well I sort of know - but not sufficient details to clarify if they'd be OK as a countersignatory... Oh dear.

I am so annoyed that there is no response from the school and I don't believe anyone will be around over half-term, though I could try the bursar's office on Monday, I suppose.

I really need to find out whether or not to try to get a passport office appointment to speed up the applications - although it seems you can't book one for less than 2 weeks in advance - or just go with the check and send at the Post office.

The school had told us that all children will need a current passport but they didn't say anything about by when they'd need to produce this.

OP posts:

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/02/2011 08:41

Solo if you can't get a passport office appointment for the next two weeks then check and send through the post office will probably be just as quick.

3kids2many · 19/02/2011 08:43

I got passports for myself and the boys last week. Phoned the passport office, got an appointment for the following day walked out the next day with 4 passports. This is not the busy season, try ringing them!

AnnoyingOrange · 19/02/2011 08:59

here's a list of people who can sign the photos for you

they will also need to supply their passport details on the application form

slartybartfast · 19/02/2011 09:06

i wouldnt worry solo.
i am sure the school probably expected this reaction, it is just the impetus you need to sort it out.
and you needed to sort it out at some point after all

OgreTripletsAreSoCute · 19/02/2011 09:06

The photos have guidelines that have to be VERY strictly adhered to, take a form with you if you go to a booth, or go to somewhere like Jessops that will do it for you. I had a thread about this the other week, will try and link it

passport photos

veritythebrave · 19/02/2011 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 19/02/2011 09:16

Email/phone your friends and ask if they or their other halfves can countersign passport applications.

Send the applications off asap and inform the school that this has been done, explaining that they did not already have a passport.

Stop worrying about it :) I can't see any reason they would need your children's passport details that far in advance and provided you explain and the details are given as soon as you can it should be fine.

tabulahrasa · 19/02/2011 11:12

don't panic about it - they ask for them so early to stop people leaving it till the last minute (and being too late)

as long as you're applying now it'll be fine even if they're not back within the school's deadline, just tell them when they go back when you applied and they'll be fine about it

Original poster

Solo2 · 19/02/2011 13:51

Thanks everyone! You're all very helpful. Have now been in touch with the local passport office and arranged an interview for fast track passports on Wed. If there are no problems with the applications, they should then courier them to me the following Wed. and - if I can be in when the courier arrives - should be able to give copies for the school next Thursday.

So at the best, they would be 4 days late for the school but if anything goes wrong, then it may be even later of course.

Have already got post-office taken photos done officially - so I'm assuming those are fine. Have also now found someone to countersign photos and sign forms tomorrow!

Finally, have also heard from the school (deputy head) who is going to try to find out whether there's any leeway on the school date and I've emailed him to let him know the plan to get the passports v v soon.

Hopefully, this should potentially be OK! What a panic! Wish this school would informus wellin advance of things like this. They're notoriously bad at suddenly foisting things on parents at the v last moment and if, like me, you're a full-time self-employed, working single mum - it can be nigh on impossible to meet demands!

After all these extra costs and the cost of the school trip per se, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to afford to take the DCs abroad ever at all!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 19/02/2011 14:01

Aren't fast track passports horrendously expensive?

MumInBeds · 19/02/2011 14:11

There had better be some leeway if they didn't give you warning of this when you booked otherwise you would be well within your rights to ask for a refund if your children miss the trip.

Waswondering · 19/02/2011 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scaryteacher · 19/02/2011 16:09

No need at all to do fast track appointments - passports are turned round very fast. I have to get mine via the embassy in Paris and even they can do it in 10 days.

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