School trip using the train and undergroud

[Tiredandtorn]

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

[Funandgamesandfun]

I wish our school would do this rather then dragging them into town on the coach, would take a fraction of the amount of time and save a fortune.

[Cedar03]

I commute into central London 3 times a week. It wouldn't even occur to me to stop my daughter going on a school trip to London because of terrorist threats. She is also in Year 4.

She is at far more risk every day from the maniac parents on the school run who park badly all over the pavement as she is walking past or rush at the zebra crossing outside the school every day.

Think of the millions of people who actually live in London.

[noramum]

I commute 4x a week, we take DD on a regular basis into London. She went with the school several times with public transport as the school is in walking distance to a direct train line.

Yes, there is a bit more police around but otherwise it is business as usual. The actual alert is - as far as I know - not raised and unless there is a direct threat putting my life on hold is not an option.

[Seeline]

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.

[WhattodoSue]

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.

[Radiatorvalves]

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.

[Tiredandtorn]

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.

[EssexMummy1234]

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?

[Aquiver]

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!

[Tiredandtorn]

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.

[HumptyDumptyHadaHardTime]

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.

[MrsJayy]

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

[Tiredandtorn]

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

[Aquiver]

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.

[Tiredandtorn]

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

[DonkeyOaty]

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.

[SquirmOfEels]

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.

[MrsJayy]

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

[spanieleyes]

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!

[Wellthatsit]

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.

[BertrandRussell]

Sorry- cross post.

[BertrandRussell]

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

[Tiredandtorn]

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...

[JennyOnAPlate]

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

[Savagebeauty]

You're overreacting