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Original poster

When you volunteer to help with a school outing

55 replies

lionheart · 05/06/2007 16:12

do you expect to be put in charge of the group that actually has your child in it?

Or, do you accept that you have agreed to help with all the children and shouldn't be matched to your own?

OP posts:
SparklePrincess · 05/06/2007 17:21

I was always with my own child. Depends on the school though I suppose.

Original poster
lionheart · 05/06/2007 17:23

But you wouldn't get in a bit sulk if you hadn't been put with your child, would you?

OP posts:
roisin · 05/06/2007 18:13

At our school apparently helping on school trips is a real privilege and sought after position.

DS1 is going on a trip on Wednesday, it's costing £15.

Spaces for "volunteer helpers" are strictly limited, and the charge is £7 ROFL

I mean who would pay to accompany a group of 7-8 yr-olds 7.30 am - 6 pm, even if they are going to see a 'genuine roman soldier'. But I guess someone must want to!

Original poster
lionheart · 05/06/2007 18:18

A genuine Roman soldier, you say? Well, in that case ...

OP posts:
motherinferior · 05/06/2007 18:19

I think I got DD1 on the one occasion where I volunteered, but to be frank I have slightly tried to erase the memories. I returned with a renewed admiration for primary teachers and an urgent need for gin.

snowwonder · 05/06/2007 18:23

i always get a group to look after that has my dd in.... she would be upset if it wasnt that way

BellaLasagne · 05/06/2007 18:33

I went with my DCs school to the local pantomime one Christmas. The little 5 yr old boy I was sitting next to virtually inhaled his half-time ice-lolly, promtly handed me the sticky stick and announced "I'm still hungry, what's next"!!

portonovo · 05/06/2007 18:36

I've had both scenarios, really doesn't bother me. It's more common not to have your child in your group.

MrsWho · 05/06/2007 20:08

Roisin - My Mam paid last year to go on dd1 trip! She helps in school regularly and said she got naughtier kids than the people who never help!

On the last trip I went on I didn't pay and I had dd1 but she was silly and the teacher had to tell her off

ellceeell · 05/06/2007 20:18

dd1 always asked not to be in my group as I expected her to behave better than the other children. She was right! I did quite a lot of trips and was considered a "safe pair of hands" so I often got a couple of the real little darlings. From many years ago I have an abiding memory of sitting at a performance of Midsummer Nights Dream with instructions not to let go of one Y5 child's hand - he was a well known runaway. But he didn't run; he sat mesmerised, speaking only to whisper "this is like magic, miss. Like magic!"

Original poster
lionheart · 05/06/2007 21:11

Oh, that's so sweet. And pretty magical too.

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 05/06/2007 21:18

Ellcee - that is beautiful.
I helped on DD2's trip last month and got her in my group - it was very enlightening. The day culminated in a fingertip search of a large field in search of a pair of spectacles that had flown into the mid-distance when one of the boys was rugby-tackled by a mate. Was glad I was not the teacher who had to explain to the parent that the spectacles were nowhere to be found.

Loshad · 05/06/2007 22:24

we never get our own child, 'tis made clear by the school beforehand though. One parent has just unvolunteered for the forthcoming trip because of it. I really enjoy helping on the school trips, and it's nice getting to know some of the other children even better.

Original poster
lionheart · 05/06/2007 22:28

Yes, I think it would be interesting just to see how they interact as a class.

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Anchovy · 05/06/2007 22:34

I think DH is doing it primarily so he can give Nasty Felix a rabbit punch when no one is looking...

jennifersofia · 05/06/2007 23:13

As a teacher I would not expect parent volunteers to expect to be with their child, unless the child had special needs. I only wish I could get more parent volunteers - we almost didn't go on our last trip because no one would come, despite advance requests and personal requests.
I always really appreciate parents who do come, especially if they are 'sensible' .

jalopy · 06/06/2007 07:36

Done loads of school outings and have always been allocated my own child as part of the group.

Roisin, can't believe you have to pay for the privilege of being a parent volunteer! I would have thought that you deserved a free coach trip and free admission for the all the stress and responsibility involved.

I always come home shattered. Teachers are bloody marvellous

Trinityrhino · 06/06/2007 07:45

done a couple of preschool trips when dd1 was there (she went for 2 years) and always had her in my group.

not so sure that would be the case if I helped with one now that she is in P2.

tigerschick · 06/06/2007 07:53

A school I used to work in had a policy of puting children and parents together ... until one parent bought ice creams for her dts but no one else on a trip! After that it was a strict policy that they were kept apart!

wheresthevalium · 06/06/2007 07:54

I had DD1 when we went 'On a Bear Hunt' this year. I was stunned at how well the kids all behaved, esp my own! For a reception class tramping through the woods etc it was amazing.

I was given an unexpected day off from work, so didn't know I could go until the mornig of the trip. When I timidly asked DDs teacher if I could come, she looked like she wanted to kiss me. I think she has the same problems getting volunteers as jennifersofia

Original poster
lionheart · 06/06/2007 09:24

Blimey, tigerschick, that must have caused a near riot.

OP posts:
purpleduck · 06/06/2007 10:13

sometimes i get my kids, sometimes not. What you REALLY should be worried about is which other little you know what is going to get planted in your group!! There is always enough of the "spirited" ones to have at least one in each group....

ungratefuldaughter · 06/06/2007 10:13

I always ended up with my two older DS's on school trips but that was because they could be a bit difficult and would wander off and go missing.

Haven't volunteered recently with my younger children as the school insists on CRB checks (even for one off help) and I can't be bothered (can't use the check I had for work until the system changes)

Anchovy · 06/06/2007 10:18

Yes DS's teacher has been so effusive about DH volunteering to go on the school trip that either (i) she fancies him; or (ii) they are a bit light on volunteers.

I think its (ii)

Original poster
lionheart · 06/06/2007 17:08

Or both.

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