School Trip - DD (5yo) wandering off

[Amanda1]

Message withdrawn

I went as a parent helper on a school trip recently. Year 1 - age 5-6. I was in charge of four children one of whom would not stay with me at all, wandered off constantly. I asked him to stay with me or I would have to hold his hand which I ended up doing. I released his hand whilst looking at an exhibit and in a split second he was gone again. I had to ask the teacher to take him as it was spoiling the trip for the other children.

My point - it was MY responsibility not to lose him. The school is responsible for children on school trips. End of story. They should provide enough helpers to ensure this doesn't happen. Yes, five year olds should know that they shouldn't wander off but five is still very young and children are all different. Some are more adventurous than others, some have less knowledge of why they shouldn't wander off etc. Definitely up to the school to take responsibility and wrist bands is a ridiculous way of dealing with it IMO.

You poor thing. I would be furious at the school if this happened. Your child was in their care - end of story. Maybe a child does know at 5 years old not to wander off but I don't think they are considered in law to be capable of looking after themselves at this age! for example, in a car it is the driver's responsibility to make sure children wear seatbelts up to the age of FOURTEEN.

However, in the interests of getting along with the school, could you suggest that if they can't increase the number of adults to children that there could be some kind of "buddy" scheme ie the children are in pairs/groups of 4 or whatever and the groups are told to tell a teacher if they lose one of the group? something like that? this specific idea may be impractical but I'm sure the teachers on here could suggest a scheme of mutual reliance to make it harder for someone to wander off unnoticed.

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Glad you are trying to be positive, I hope you have a great summer with her and go on lots of happy trips together.

Look out for things like nature walks with National Trust rangers and other family events. We are looking forward to jousting competition at a nearby castle in a couple of weeks

I don't know about the private school system but I think other mumsnetters have had problems. Did a quick search on private school in the archive and came up with this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=43&threadid=75705

Haven't read it but HTH. You could revive it if it doesn't help/ you need an update.

Suggest you will sue them for the money because it was their negligence in having inadequate supervision on outings that led you to withdraw your child and you may get your money back. Quote any guidelines you can find. However do you want your child to continue at the school? If you do then you can't make too much fuss over it.

government advice on teachernet.gov.uk about school visits. Webpage below but you can search teachernet for field trip is it doesn't work. It says (sorry wouldn't let me cut and paste) 1 to 6 for years 1 to 3 but more for a reception class. Doesn't specify the more but the head would have to admit in court they hadn't followed the guidance . Don't think she'd like to argue it and her insurers would like it even less.

publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=HSPV2&