School Trip

[Caz152152]

My child's class is going on a school trip soon and I have just learnt that the children are staying overnight for three nights in groups of around six in caravans. On their own. Teachers have a caravan each nearby. I'm quite worried about this as the holiday is on a holiday park and it is down to the children to lock their doors. Gas will be turned off in the caravans. We have already paid for the trip. The children are 10 and 11 year olds.

The school will have done an extensive risk assessment.

Are you worried about people going in, or them leaving the caravans unlocked when empty, or something else?

Either way I could imagine a teacher doing a round to check locked at night (if that's what is wanted) and locked when leaving each morning.

I haven't heard (here) of other schools doing a trip where children stay at a holiday park rather than some more 'contained' site such as a PGL one. Has the school done this before?

In your shoes I would identify what I was concerned about, and then ask the school how those issues are being managed.

Teachers don't get a lot of rest on these types of trips, as one will stay up patrolling until all accommodation is quiet and settled. Teachers will be terrified of things going wrong, so it really is in their best interests to keep everyone safe.

Oooh no, I wouldn't like that at all. I have 11 year old twins and I know how silly they can be when they're with their friends.

it is down to the children to lock their doors Yeah right because they are all going to remember to do that

It is normal when kids go on their Y6 PGL type trip that they will be in a cabin without a staff member. However, the sites aren't open to the public. If your site is open to the public or the kids could wander out (both of which I doubt), that would be cause for concern. These trips are about becoming more independant - in a few months they will be a secondary school.

Is it a private caravan park? I'm pretty slack with stuff like this but I wouldn't be happy with that at all. Too much scope for silliness/nastiness.

Sorry just seen its not private, no way then!

As far as I know it is open to the public. As the children are told to lock their doors then presumably they could just as easily unlock them and wander off. Think I am mainly worried about the fact that it would be easy for somebody to get in the caravan. The teachers do last thing at night checks but not through the night. Just seems worrying that when i looked it up a government website advises that children under 16 should not be left without an adult overnight but isn't that just what is happening here?

They have done a PGL type one before but as you say that was not open to public and teachers were in rooms in between the childrens' rooms.

If they were camping in tents would you be happier? I've taken year 6 camping before without issues (and without much sleep!) What had you thought sleeping arrangements would be /what were they last year? Speak to teachers about your specific concerns

It is normal when kids go on their Y6 PGL type trip that they will be in a cabin without a staff member. However, the sites aren't open to the public
Yes and they also have wardens keeping an ear out.

I know its highly unlikely but what happens if someone dodgy gets wind that there is a load of kids on their own in a caravan?

It seems a very odd set-up, I wonder why the school has done it like this?