School trip to local sewage works :(

[majorcrowdpleaser]

So a letter came through today stating that an 'exciting' school trip to the local sewage treatment works has been organised for my sons' year (year 6).

This is the only school trip this year and the other local schools have been to places like the Harry Potter studios or the Natural History Museum. I can't help but feel really disappointed for them especially as its their last year before secondary school.

Where have your children been this year?

[Albadross]

We went to a shopping trolley factory!

[mypropertea]

It isn't the "mud" it is the fat you need to watch out for. Sticks to your shoes and is slippery as hell.

I did this trip, character building :)

[LittleMoonbuggy]

I've been on a trip to the sewage works before, the kids loved it! As well as having a look at all parts of the site to see how waste gets processed, there was a purpose built education centre and they spent time in there.

Funniest moment was watching waste pass under a bridge and a child remarking 'look at all those cookies passing under there', before realising they weren't actually cookies at all!

[DullUserName]

I love sewage works! They are fascinating places... honestly!
Outs self with reference to previous career...

Waste recycling centres are great too. Really.

[Yourface]

I'd love to do a trip there but ....stupid question....would it really stink?? If so I would just rather watch a documentary.

I get your point though for year 6. I think our school normally go to a bomb shelter & dress up. I went with my eldest and it was ace.

[Emochild]

I've been to the sewage works with lots of groups

There is an education centre on site with lots of hands on activities

It's a good trip and no where near as smelly as you would expect although I grew up near a big sewage works so i'm kind of used to it

[iloveredwine]

Science museum and London eye

[NotYoda]

OP

"This year" only started 6 weeks ago. Not sure what you are expecting. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of Wildebeast sweeping majestically across the plains?

[CookieDoughKid]

It's actually very important that kids learn about sewage and its treatment. We have a duty to look after our environment and not be wasteful and IMO, the more education the better. So much in terms of engineering/science/environmental science and so on can be gleaned from such a trip.

[gandalf456]

Sounds like a shit trip, hahhahahha. Will you be bringing sandwiches for the trip? Don't forget the chocolate spread.

[Loulou2kent]

Ha! This takes me back to year 7! I got to go to the sewage works, my sister, 2 years later went Disneyland Paris!!! I was very jealous!

[bloodyteenagers]

How do you know it will be the only trip?
Unless we have to pay, we don't find out until about a week beforehand.

[AnnieOnnieMouse]

They will LOVE it, and yes, it will stink! They and their clothes will need to be in the wash as they enter the door!
Some kids will yell because it is horribly gross, and some because it is wonderfully gross!
It's the sort of thing you can only really do on a school trip, whereas ordinary attractions can be done any time.
My dd did 2 weeks work experience at the new Reading water treatment works, and it confirmed her wish to study Chemistry - got an MSc eventually!

[BennyTheBall]

I think this is a fab trip. The kids will love it and it should be really interesting.

[majorcrowdpleaser]

Well, hopefully the kids will love the trip and make the most of it. This will be their only trip though, they never have more than one a year and for my son's last one of primary school, yes, I was hoping for somewhere a little more exciting. Perhaps the Natural History museum or Science museum? I went to the same school and we had much more exciting trips, we would look forward to them for ages :)

[MycatsaPirate]

I want to know more about the shopping trolley factory.

[BishopBrennansArse]

That's not envy.
It's nausea.

[Saracen]

Sewage works is one of the best trips my family has been on in recent years. Really interesting and informative especially the bit about EXACTLY how and why you would be sure to drown horribly if you fell into the sludge. Made quite an impression on all of us. Would recommend it highly.

[Amandahugandkisses]

Will it be like the Aunty Mabel episode

"Can you see your poo in there pippin!"

[Mirandawest]

DD hasn't been on any trips yet this year. She's in year 6 and will go on a residential trip in July. I know they're going to young voices in January but can't remember whether there's any other trips planned.

I went on a trip to the local sewage works when I was doing my chemistry degree. Can't remember whether or not it smelt

[bojorojo]

The children may also come away wanting to be civil engineers - that would be a good result!

[Supertrooperloopthelooper]

We went to a sewage works. It was great. A day out of school, trip on the coach, laughing about poo with my mates and a special packed lunch I always got on trip days. If he is in yr6 he will almost certainly do decent trips after SATS

[pontificationcentral]

dd1 is 16 and has been to the sewage works this year and last year with school. They are genetically engineering a biobrick in order to break down keratin in order to stop hair clogging up the works - it could also be used for feather waste in chicken factories, with possible fertilizer as a by-product. She loves the sewage factory. They let them bring samples of waste back to school.