If you had paid for a school trip and it was cancelled by the school...

[SoupDragon]

... Would you expect a full refund regardless of whether their travel insurance paid out?

1. it was not a cheap trip, it was a full day in France
2. it's an independent school
3. no mention of what would happen in the event of cancellation

Yes I would unless it was cancelled due to my child's actions.

The school made the decision due to the horrendous delays to/from/at Calais coupled with a heatwave.

Right, so they were in effect thinking of the h & safety of the kids. Tricky one that.

I would expect a full refund as my contract was with the school (not their insurance company)

Yes, I fully agree with the actual cancellation.

I'm just in two minds about how they are handling the refund (40%). Part of me feels they should take the financial hit * as they made the decision to cancel.

• and that is the only reason the fact that it's an independent school is at all relevant

I would expect a full refund or confirmation that the money is used towards another similar school trip.

Yes I think they should repay all the money. Did you read the small print and see if there is anything said about cancellations. I expect you'd have a good chance taking them to the small claims court unless it specifically covers this scenario in their terms and conditions. But would you want to do that. Hmm not sure if I would. But I'd certainly be furious and not contribute to any of their fundraising events for quite a long time.

Yes I would expect a refund. Twice, at DD1's school (state grammar) we were offered a partial refund and were given the default option of 'donating' it to the school. I asked for it to be paid back to me.

I would expect a refund.

Full refund.

I'm not sure I can be bothered to make a fuss as I had forgotten all about it.

I remember feeling a bit odd about it when they cancelled and said they'd see if they could offer us any refund. I wondered if others thought the same.

If it were a state school, I would shrug and think that they needed the money more than me.