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Original poster

Would you let your 8 year-old stay in a Travelodge on a school trip?

69 replies

SiriusPink · 16/02/2011 22:04

This is quite bizarre I feel.

DD's class is going on a school trip and has to stay overnight (early start next day). We have just been informed that the school has booked 'almost all the rooms' in a 'small Travelodge'.

No more information at the moment, but I don't feel happy about this idea. DD is only 8 (Year 4) and we wouldn't put her in a big hotel room on her own (or with older sibling) if we went away, even with us next door, so I feel even more uncomfortable about the idea with us not even there!

How can they possibly have risk-assessed a public hotel as being safe for a group of 50 children (2 classes)

Who is going to be 'on duty' overnight? What if the children wake up scared overnight, or won't go to sleep, or if there is a fire etc.

I assume they were planning to pair up the children, 2 to a room, but DD hasn't ever been away on her own - except at friends' houses for sleepovers, which I feel is very different?

Would you be happy with this arrangement?

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bigTillyMint · 17/02/2011 07:51

I have never heard of a school doing that beforeShock

You should go ito school and ask to speak with the person running the trip to find out full information and raise your concerns before making any decision. I imagine there are many other parents worrying about it too.

swallowedAfly · 17/02/2011 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

RoundOrangeHead · 17/02/2011 08:20

madness

and a travelodge as well, surely premier inn at least

RoundOrangeHead · 17/02/2011 08:21

I am amazed at how ambitious some schools are these days with class trips

louvert · 17/02/2011 08:34

So strange - fifty 8 year olds in shared rooms, presumably two or three to a bed. They won't sleep, will disturb other guests, aren't safe from room equipment or other adults staying there. It all just seems such an odd idea - and very expensive in comparison to specialist bunk places. I also can't imagine travellodge agreeing to it as would be so disruptive for their normal customers.

LIZS · 17/02/2011 08:38

Seems an odd choice.

newpup · 17/02/2011 09:34

NO! How on earth would that work? 8 year olds can not be left in a hotel room on their own. Kettles, T.V. other adults coming and going. Errrrr NO WAY!!

ElinElin · 17/02/2011 09:39

No way. What are the other parents in the school saying. How far in advance were you told about this. Did school give parents a chance to object etc. I think it is way too early. My dd is only 4 nearly 5 but I cannot imagine that at 8 I would feel comfortable with that. Why???!!!

MarioandLuigi · 17/02/2011 09:41

No way on earth!

Fimbo · 17/02/2011 09:43

Where on earth are they going to/leaving from that requires them to do this?

Fimbo · 17/02/2011 09:46

I have stayed at the HolidayInn Express in Greenwich on numerous occasions where they have had coach loads of foreign school kids but they must have been about 14/15 and seemed to have a couple of floors to themselves.

stressheaderic · 17/02/2011 09:46

Our school takes Year 9 to Spain and stays in a public hotel - 2 members of staff stay up all night at each end of the corridor, and doors are propped open.
However, they are 14 and can be vaguely trusted. At 8? Not a chance.

Original poster
SiriusPink · 17/02/2011 09:50

Good. You are all saying/ thinking/feeling exactly what I am!

I just wanted to check I was some kind of uber-precious mum with an incompetent 8 year old!

It's not for a few months, so there is plenty of time to change/ argue etc about it. I just can't believe they're even considering it!

OP posts:
Original poster
SiriusPink · 17/02/2011 09:50

Sorry - too many !s in that last post Blush

OP posts:
elphabadefiesgravity · 17/02/2011 09:52

Yes I would be fine with that. Teachers can't I think share rooms with children.

On another forum I use the mum of one of the little girls aged 6 who is currently touring the country in a show has said that the children stay in hotel rooms sharing with other children and the chaperone is next door.

pilates · 17/02/2011 10:06

No way would I feel comfortable with this.

Anice · 17/02/2011 10:18

I would be willing for my 8 year to do this depending on the supervision arrangements, though I would not be "happy".

LindyHemming · 17/02/2011 10:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maidbloke · 17/02/2011 11:00

No.

Our DS is 8 and has been on a few sleepovers at friends and got on well. But staying in a strange room on your own with 1 friend is quite different and would freak him out I think.

Seems like an badly thought out idea to me.

To those suggesting teachers can stay awake all night and supervise, this is no good either because they won't be able to work effectively the following day.

supersewer · 17/02/2011 14:24

how ridiculous of course not!!!

SoupDragon · 17/02/2011 14:30

Is this the first time they've run the trip?

Original poster
SiriusPink · 17/02/2011 14:41

SoupDragon - YES - how can you tell! Grin

OP posts:
skybluepearl · 17/02/2011 14:45

why didn't they just use a bunk house or a youth hostel?

bettyboop63 · 17/02/2011 16:03

my DS school have done something simular in a way (on a canal boat)they were 8 they took 3 classes the correct amount of teachers but i was very sceptical Hmm and turned out i was right all the teachers bar one got pissed inc the HT who went and he was very soon after (as something sim happened on the prev years french trip)dismissed thank god the Teachers got away with a slap on the wrists and no more french or canal trips now they only do isle of wight in a regular hotel used for years (there only ones in the hotel) or the activity/hostel week

torie1980 · 17/02/2011 16:07

NO CHANCE, you would be worried the entire time your DD is away x