Residential School Trips - Year 1!

[JaneEyre1]

Does anyone else out there share my view that Year 1 is too young for a residential school trip? It is only 1 night away but my daughter is only 5 and I just feel it is too young. Everyone I know at other schools in our area says their school doesn't do this until year 3. I seem to be the only one who isn't keen and the head/teachers are implying it's virtually compulsory. The 4 teachers sleep in an adjoining room to two classes, in our school that's 48 pupils in total. If I say no then won't she feel isolated but I feel pressuirsed into this. Would welcome honest feedback. Thanks a lot.

My DS has SN, he has ASD. He went away for 4 nights with his special school...

when he was FOUR! and hadn't even started reception.

But I bet he didn't go away with one adult to every 12 children!

Our school did a year 1 trip when Ds1 was in year one. The uptake was only about 60% and they never tried it again.

And I didn't send Ds1. Residentials for a five year old seem unnecessary and he didn't want to go anyway.

Are they insane? Why would anyone want to do this? I love my class but I would not want to take them on any residential, far too young.

No, indeed, seren. They had one adult for three DC, and only 12 DC altogether but they did all have SN! Still really brave to take them away for a week, on a boat trip, a day at the beach etc.

At my DCs' primary school, it's a residential trip in Year 6, and that is a big deal. I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would do a trip with so many five year olds. Not convinced the children would get anything out of it.

All three of my DS's went on Beaver sleepovers at 6, which was in Y1, without any problem. I think the parents find it more frightening than the DC, TBH. It won't be compulsory, I don't really see the problem.

Yep, DS did Beavers sleepovers at 6 too. Loved it!

But if you don't feel happy about it, or your DD isn't keen, don't worry, just say No thanks

I wouldn't fancy it, and agree that the ratios are a big scary. I'd skip it and find it really hard to believe you will be the only one, especially if you tell others that you aren't going for it!

Our Y2's go on a 1 night residential in the Autumn term and absolutly LOVE it. Its been done for the last 25 years so they really know all the sticking points and how to handle the children and parents concerns. The year 4's do a week and the Year 6's another week as well. They are some of the best memories the children have of their time at primary school!