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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

School trip using the train and undergroud

28 replies

Tiredandtorn · 28/01/2016 19:50

Dcs school is planning a museum visit using the train and underground. Given the climate, we're a bit uneasy about this. The school says a coach is too expensive and takes too long.
What are your views on how safe this is? I'm very confident in the schools ability to deliver the trip, adult/child ratios safely etc. it's the mode of transport... Dc is year 4

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

saggyboobs1 · 28/01/2016 19:52

My DS went in reception, one adult for every two children. I think the travel was almost as exciting as the museum.

enderwoman · 28/01/2016 19:52

Why do you think train and underground is any less safe than road travel?

enderwoman · 28/01/2016 19:53

It wouldn't bother me at all by the way.

Savagebeauty · 28/01/2016 19:55

You're overreacting

JennyOnAPlate · 28/01/2016 19:55

I would imagine that statistically they are safer on a train than a bus. Wouldn't bother me at all.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 28/01/2016 19:56

We live an hour or so outside of London and rail/underground travel is not the norm for dc or his peers. Some other parents and I are concerned about the current 'threat level' in the city and are nervous following the recent tragic events in Paris. I know, without question, that we can't be controlled by such acts of violence, but I can't shake off how uneasy I feel about letting him go on the visit...

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 28/01/2016 19:56

Why are trains dangerous? Sorry- that's a genuine question, I don't understand.

BertrandRussell · 28/01/2016 19:57

Sorry- cross post.

Wellthatsit · 28/01/2016 20:00

could you volunteer as a helper? Then you would be there too so you might feel more comfortable.

I would be more nervous about the bus crashing to be honest.

spanieleyes · 28/01/2016 20:00

We went to London in November to visit the Houses of Parliament, using the train and underground as it was SO much cheaper than the coach ( £15 as opposed to £45!) Of course there are some concerns but there are dangers everywhere, London is probably safer than most other places!

MrsJayy · 28/01/2016 20:00

Are you concerned about a terrorist attack I guess you can't stop doing things because of this

SquirmOfEels · 28/01/2016 20:01

What exactly is it that worries you?

Is it that they might lose some? Or that there might be a partial closure (for security or any other reason) and staff might not be familiar enough with Londin to make a suitable work around?

Or that they'll be close to a terrorist incident? Or that that there will be some or all of the group directly caught in an incident?

I really don't want to feed your fears, but they're going to a crowded place in a city on high alert. The mode of transport within that city isn't really adding to the risk.

DonkeyOaty · 28/01/2016 20:01

I had cause to use train and tube recently (dont normally work in London) and it was a tad unnerving but I told self I was over thinking, all would be well and staff would help if an incident occurred (I am disabled to boot)

I understand your concern but urge you to be cool about it all.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 28/01/2016 20:03

I agree MrsJayy. We can't. But yes, that's the main concern.

OP posts:

Aquiver · 28/01/2016 20:05

I am surprised that, given you are an hour or so away from London, that neither you nor the other anxious parents know of anyone (spouses, neighbours, friends etc) who commute to and from London each day, perfectly safely. Surely some of the parents commute too with no problems?

There really is nothing to worry about. It would be such a shame for the little ones to have the fears of terrorism etc projected onto them.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 28/01/2016 20:05

School trips are always well organised and I've no doubts about general safety at all. I know the staff will do their upmost to keep the kids safe

OP posts:

MrsJayy · 28/01/2016 20:06

The tube will take minutes they will be OK it must be a daunting thought though

HumptyDumptyHadaHardTime · 28/01/2016 20:08

the current 'threat level' in the city and are nervous following the recent tragic events in Paris.

The threat level in the country hasn't changed for many many months and isn't at the highest level.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 28/01/2016 20:08

My dh is a commuter, many parents and friends too. I know, it's silly. I want him to go and have been nothing but positive about it when he's around. Older dc had a fab year 6 trip a few years ago and thought the underground was the best part!! I think we've just all got ourselves in a bit of a state because of threats in the media recently.

OP posts:

Aquiver · 28/01/2016 20:11

I completely understand why Tired.

It sounds like you are doing a great job of encouraging your children to be positive and curious, and not to be cowed by fear.

They will have a fantastic time, and you will be able to breathe a massive sigh of relief when they get back from their mini adventure!

EssexMummy1234 · 28/01/2016 21:17

mmm - i lost my little one in a packed westfields recently, i took my eye off her for a couple of seconds to press the button to call the lift and she sprinted to one of those children's ride machines, we were with four other adults and none of them saw her. On the other hand i have seen school groups of very young children travelling on the underground so it probably is the norm.

OP - Can't you volunteer to go along?

Or do you think that the underground / major rail stations is more susceptible to an attack than a museum or shopping centre? because i'm not sure that is rational, a man was arrested with two guns at the entrance to Disneyland Paris today, would that put you off going there?

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 28/01/2016 21:21

Have volunteered, but due to the very high numbers of concerned parents that want to go, the school has staffed the trip using regular volunteers and governors and declined all parent helpers. They have been very fair about this in the way they've done it, and I do understand they can't take every concerned parent so saying no to all is the best was to be fair I guess.

OP posts:

Radiatorvalves · 28/01/2016 21:38

My DS went to Westminster today in the tube (we are s London). He is year 6... Lots of parents went as they wanted to see the Houses of Parliament! No worries about security. DS2 who is in year 4 went with school for something last week. There are a lot of trips to London and s bank. We are used to it and tbh security doesn't cross my mind.

With DS1 I have said he should hide if a terrorist incident happens....he reads papers and asked.

WhattodoSue · 28/01/2016 22:42

You have a 9,000,000+/1 chance of being killed by a terrorist attack. You have a 8000/1 chance of being killed in a road accident. There really is no point in worrying about a terrorist attack. There are literally millions of other things more likely to kill you. Including the NHS.

Seeline · 29/01/2016 08:22

I would guess that the threat level was probably the same when your older DS went on his trip as it is now.
It certainly hasn't gone up for ages - people outside London are just more aware due to recent events.

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