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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 trips

24 replies

Trippin · 16/05/2023 05:57

Just out of internet, does anyone know how primary schools choose the parents to accompany the class on a school trip? It's always the same parents. Not all DBS checked. Not all SAHM. I just wondered how they go about choosing who they ask.

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Hercisback · 16/05/2023 05:58

Likely first come first served.

They don't need to be DBS checked as long as they're under supervision of someone who is.

Starseeking · 16/05/2023 06:05

I've never been on my DC trip at school, although I did when they were at nursery, as I work full-time.

I've taken the day off work, and will be going on a school trip soon. I don't have DBS as I've never had a job which requires one, teacher said I would need to sign a form.

I emailed the teacher as soon as I saw the request go out, so it must be first come, first served.

Original poster

Trippin · 16/05/2023 06:09

Thanks all who replied.

I work full time myself and would probably take a day off if I was asked. I've also volunteered and worked a day in the school supporting another learning day. I've never seen an email go out asking for these volunteers for school trips and a friend said she was approached by the teacher direct. My DC is keen for me to go myself so I was just wondering how they decide who to approach.

OP posts:

PlanningQuestions · 16/05/2023 06:14

In the case of your school I would ask the teacher when they're not busy. Just say you can sometimes get free time/the day off and would like to help.

Hellocatshome · 16/05/2023 06:22

Don't wait to be asked. Email the school/teacher and volunteer your services for any future trips so they know you are available. Our school had enough people volunteering their services we didn't need to ask people who hadn't.

roundtable · 16/05/2023 06:23

The unofficial criteria where I am is friendly, sensible, not just going to focus on their own child, non smoker and available.

You could let the class teacher know you're available. If they know you work full time they might not realise you would take a day off. We know holiday time can be difficult to manage when juggling primary school children holiday care. Some of our parents are able to have a day off for volunteering but they let us know. I wouldn't ask a parent that worked full time first as I'd not want them to feel obliged to take a day's goliday.

Send an email and let them know!

larlypops · 16/05/2023 06:25

My sons school don’t even ask parents anymore just take support staff or those on the committee, that stopped since covid.
in the past though I’ve offered my time for reading, trips etc just let them know

HelenaJustina · 16/05/2023 06:27

Sometimes we take a parent for a reason you might not know about. They might be helping to manage their child’s medical needs. We’ve taken a parent who drove themselves to the venue so that they could take their child home if they became overwhelmed/distressed. We’ve taken parents who are Governors (because they are DBS checked) and the parents who volunteer first.

I’ve also worked in schools where teachers have said ‘never again’ to an accompanying parent. Usually for being more a hindrance than a help, eg carrying their own 6-year old round a zoo and ignoring the other 4 children on their group.

FloweryName · 16/05/2023 06:36

At my school we avoid asking parents if we can, but if we need their help we ask parents that we think are likely to be the most practical and helpful and who won’t use it as an opportunity to judge the staff of ask too many questions. We avoid the parents that are likely to focus on their own child too much and choose parents who are happy to be in a separate group from their child.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 16/05/2023 06:42

I volunteered for a trip when DD was in reception by talking to the office staff, since then I get asked op for all of them. Some I can do, others I can't (or don't want to). Once they have a few parents who seem willing I think that's their go to list because most can't do it due to other commitments.

Pinkflipflop85 · 16/05/2023 06:43

Ours is whoever puts their name down first!

Pinkflipflop85 · 16/05/2023 06:45

We've also had to create a list of parents who are absolutely not welcome to accompany another trip in the future due to their behaviour.

WonderingWanda · 16/05/2023 06:45

My kids primary ask for volunteers, I doubt the ever get so many that they have to choose to be honest.

tiredhadenough · 16/05/2023 06:49

We try not to take parents if possible.

At my daughter's school they said they put names in a hat but they chose parents they thought would be the best fit.

I was taken on one trip and I'm sure it was because I am a teacher, had done some supply in the school so I had some control over the children on a big trip 🤷🏼‍♀️.

toomuchlaundry · 16/05/2023 06:49

One thing to be aware of is that some schools won’t put you in the group that your child is in, as some parents then solely concentrate on their child.

When you volunteer to help on a trip you are meant to be volunteering to help the class not have a nice time with your child

spanieleyes · 16/05/2023 06:49

We have banned the one who lit up a cigarette when walking with the children and the one who spent the whole time on her phone!

Jules912 · 16/05/2023 09:14

Ours likes people with a DBS so they can take a group on their own. For the first couple they got them DBSs if they didn't already have them, now they only pick people who already have them. I know a SAHD who always gets picked, and it's because they don't want it to be all women.

funtycucker · 16/05/2023 09:16

My DC's school ask for parents to state if they are able to help on the permission slip that goes out with the letter about the trip. It's first come first served on volunteers then as not all parents can help out. No DBS required.

welshmercury · 12/06/2023 15:07

At my school if you helping out more than once on school trips then it becomes regular and you need a DBS.

Next time the trip letter comes out let the teacher know you can help

thepresureofausername · 12/06/2023 17:35

We personally ask parents of some SEN pupils to come to support their children if they can. Then we pick people who have volunteered (we quite often have parents emailing to say I can come if needed even before we've asked). Then if we need more we'll put out a general enquiry. Some parents are banned if we don't trust them to be respectful to staff or supervise children but this is rare.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/06/2023 17:47

Hercisback · 16/05/2023 05:58

Likely first come first served.

They don't need to be DBS checked as long as they're under supervision of someone who is.

They always had to have a basic DBS check at my school that's why they were often people who helped out anyway.

Seashor · 12/06/2023 21:14

We are extremely careful who we ask. Anyone who swears, smokes, arrives for pick up on their phone, wears revealing clothing, moans about the school on social media, gossips or has excluded children from a whole class party is NEVER coming near that coach!!!!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/06/2023 21:15

You don't wait to be asked - you offer. Or make it known they can ask. I had a day off once when I knew dc was going on a trip. I caught the teacher ahead of time and said "I'm free if you need parent helpers". They didn't, as they had enough, but then the day before they caught me to say someone dropped put could I still step in. Fine.

Bit if you don't make it known to them, how do they know who to ask?

dahirjamila1 · 05/12/2023 20:12

idk probs just pick 2 and go

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