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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 Isle of Wight 5 day trip year 4!

41 replies

Twistedpantsagain · 21/07/2017 21:28

My son of 8 is due to go on a 5 day Isle of Wight trip now he's entering year 4.
He is confident, has lots of friends and doing well at school but has no desire to go away from home for this length of time especially as it's overnight.
I'm dreading the meeting I'll have to have come September about it!

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Ceto · 23/07/2017 09:42

I also think teachers are slightly bonkers to take a group away for a week if the majority haven't had time away before

They presumably do it every year and know it works fine. That's certainly the case in the school where my sister works.

mrz · 23/07/2017 10:20

I took 50 children to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight (Y4-6) from my school in the North East. It was a fantastic experience for children, many of whom had never had a holiday before. On other residential I've led children have cried when it was time to go home .

spanieleyes · 23/07/2017 10:24

I also think teachers are slightly bonkers to take a group away for a week if the majority haven't had time away before.

Surely by the age of nine, most children have been SOMEWHERE for an overnight stay, even if it's just to friends for a sleepover or grandparents for a couple of nights. By nine, mine had flown internationally unaccompanied so a residential to Arnside was a walk in the park!

CastIronCookware · 23/07/2017 10:29

OP - are you familiar with transactional analysis? You have fallen into the role of 'child', which that many parents do when dealing with their child's school.

You say you are 'dreading' the meeting with the school, but there is no need for you to attend or to engage with them just because they say so.

A short, polite note - "DS will not be attending the trip. Please advise nearer the time what arrangements are being made for him" is quite sufficient.

Original poster

Twistedpantsagain · 23/07/2017 10:46

No I'm not familiar with that term, what does it mean? I will google!

OP posts:

Original poster

Twistedpantsagain · 26/07/2017 08:45

OP posts:

2014newme · 29/07/2017 09:47

He'll just go in another class for the week. He can't stay home.

Original poster

Twistedpantsagain · 29/07/2017 10:02

I've said a few times on here that when my friend had this issue last year her daughter wasn't offered to go into another class. She was told it would be difficult for her to go into another year group with different work therefore the school asked the parents if they would teach her at home that week and provided her the work!
It's not me saying this is what I want to do, it's me saying what is possibly going to be requested by the school.

OP posts:

2014newme · 29/07/2017 10:14

It doesn't matter if it's difficult for the school. Your child is entitled to attend school. however if it was me and then asked me to keep him home I would book a holiday and take advantage of the cheaper term time prices.

Original poster

Twistedpantsagain · 29/07/2017 10:23

Yes although that would prove difficult as I have 2 other children in the school too so then they I may be fined for doing that!

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chameleon71 · 31/07/2017 09:48

if he genuinely is a sociable and outgoing child, then surely he would love sleepovers and school trips?

you mention that you are 'dreading' the meeting - could it be that you are the one 'dreading' the trip and that, with a bit of encouragement there's no reason why your ds wouldn't enjoy this trip? 4 nights away at age 9 is pretty standard IMO

you've plenty of time to help him take baby steps towards April?

elevenclips · 31/07/2017 10:10

4 nights away at 9 is quite a lot imo although most can probably do it. Some kids will be at boarding school by that age. Both mine did a single night residential at 8 and the place wasn't that far away, the overnighter was just to give them a little intro to being away.

You need to decide whether your ds could cope and then tell the school your decision. If you can't home ed that week then you tell the school he'll be attending school. They ask you to home ed you say it's not possible.

BubblesBuddy · 31/07/2017 11:49

Mine did a 4 night residential in Y2. Final year of infant school. Thankfully a few didn't go but most did. It is truly amazing how young children with the correct adult/child ratio can really get a lot out of residentials. Usually the socially outgoing children really enjoy them and want to go with their friends. They also enjoy the chat when they get home. Not taking part does rather exclude your child and may affect friendships. I would encourage him to go with his friends. What is to fear? It seems irrational to me.

Original poster

Twistedpantsagain · 31/07/2017 17:20

It's not a decision he's making out of fear, he just doesn't want to go somewhere away from home and overnight for 4 nights

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BubblesBuddy · 01/08/2017 00:13

Why not? Have you talked about this?

Pud2 · 01/08/2017 17:09

I think he should be encouraged at least. It's often our first defence when we are unsure about something to say we don't want to do it and we need a gentle nudge. As Bubbles says, there'll be lots of stories from the trip and new relationshoips formed and he may well regret not going afterwards.

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