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Original poster

School camp

41 replies

Campmatt · 18/06/2023 22:31

My child's school have asked for a 100 quid non refundable deposition for a 5 day camp (total cost 300) I have been given a month to find the money. I am unsure about because it is in December and he can get unwell in the cold. Then what if there are teacher strikes? So far the school has closed on every strike day. Then there is the fact I am not working (won't be entitled to any help). They he also usually has music exams around that time.

I think it has to be a no right?

I have found strike days very challenging to cater for, while I appreciate why teachers need to do this, I am thinking that it would be madness to risk a deposit when I think strikes could just continue on? What do others think?

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 19/06/2023 00:40

OP, you seem to be just talking to yourself.

If you don't want him to go. Don't sign up, but all your ramblings on here don't make sense.

  • If a teacher is on a residential, they won't strike (even if there is a strike that day).
  • If you are out of work, why do you assume you won't be able to get any financial help?
  • Why are you acting as if being asked to pay a deposit now is a surprise, and then go on to tell us all the details of last year's trip. If it is an annual event, then clearly you knew it was happening.
  • Of course, if you can't afford it, then say so.
  • I don't know how old your dc is, but the probability of them camping in tents in December is vanishingly small.
  • Even smaller if they are doing water activities all week.
Original poster
Campmatt · 19/06/2023 00:58
  • If a teacher is on a residential, they won't strike (even if there is a strike that day).

I don't know that. Each class has closed during strike days.

  • If you are out of work, why do you assume you won't be able to get any financial help?

Because I am not going to claim benefits.
I intend to work and have just fell on some hard times necessitating hard choices.

  • Why are you acting as if being asked to pay a deposit now is a surprise, and then go on to tell us all the details of last year's trip.

I am surprised by the timing, under a month to find 100 pounds. Previous trips have been in warmer weather so I imagined (wrongly) that the trip would have been April onwards, allowing more time to budget). I am not the only parent surprised.

If it is an annual event, then clearly you knew it was happening.

I knew it was happening but did not expect it so soon and did not expect to have to provide money in this academic year for another academic year. Actually it tends to be every 2 years.

  • Of course, if you can't afford it, then say so.

Yes I don't think I can afford it. I think I could afford it if it was later.

  • I don't know how old your dc is, but the probability of them camping in tents in December is vanishingly small.

No they won't be in tent conditions but they will be in water outside in December.

  • Even smaller if they are doing water activities all week.

Again I have a child who is susceptible to illness around damp and cold conditions.

OP posts:
Original poster
Campmatt · 19/06/2023 01:00

And just to add my disabled friend with a much harder life situation than me did not get any support for trip and still could not afford it.

Any partial funding was insufficient.

I also know this because in better times I paid for some other children to go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Campmatt · 19/06/2023 01:08

Thank you stardust40 travel insurance could be an option.

I appreciate your comment that during strikes there would be very few teachers who would strike during a residential, I do believe knowing this school they would not staff a residential trip. I will ask them.

I do thinks strikes will continue by teachers and this is part of the strategy to make it disruptive.

I am not purposely trying to justify my son's attendance or not.

I was just seeking feedback.

oh and in the interests of a fuller disclosure as a migrant (although my children are British) I would never claim say unemployment benefit. I just could not do that. Also I would be very concerned that it would count against me in terms of any citizenship application. I am sure others in my position feel the same.

OP posts:
EggInANest · 19/06/2023 01:12

Ask the school in writing (e mail) what will be their policy on the trip going ahead if a strike is called, and if the trip is cancelled due to strikes, will there be a full refund.

You are just making up answers. Find out the facts and get them to confirm in writing.

Original poster
Campmatt · 19/06/2023 01:23

I really am not making up answers.

I will ask the school again.

However it is very clear from their communication that the deposit is non refundable. It is called a non-refundable deposit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Campmatt · 19/06/2023 01:29

egginanest the deposit and trip costs will be paid via a 3rd party app. This makes it difficult to get any refund and so far the school have made it clear that the deposit is non refundable

anyhow goodnight all.

OP posts:
EggInANest · 19/06/2023 07:54

OK, so write and tell them that since the company are emphatic that the cost of the holiday is non refundable , before you pay your deposit you need to know what would happen in the event f a strike being called.

By making up answers I mean you have decided in advance that if there is a strike the school will not take the kids. All I am saying is ‘ask them’.

Thistooshallpsss · 19/06/2023 08:07

I’m with you op. December seems a poor choice for a residential camp and with all the other uncertainties you have mentioned I would say No to this trip.

weareallout · 19/06/2023 08:17

Loads of schools do residentials in winter when cheaper. £300 for 5 days is cheap.

weareallout · 19/06/2023 08:25

Cold does not make a child ill. Winter bugs maybe. It won't be sleeping outdoors and all clothing will be suitable. When did school first day it would be happening? I'm surprised they don't offer instalments

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/06/2023 08:44

Could you take our holiday insurance in case the trip is cancelled or your child is ill?

Needmorelego · 19/06/2023 08:53

@Campmatt I would think a lot of parents won’t be able to afford £300 so lots won’t go.
A lot won’t be able to afford the deposit. I certainly don’t have a spare £100.
Schools really need to stop this type of thing.

Geneticsbunny · 19/06/2023 08:59

It is the staying away overnight without you that is the main part of the benefit so day trips won't be the same. They won't put them in the water in December because that would be dangerous. There is no way you could get away with a risk assessment saying you were puttin primary aged kids in water in December. If it is an outdoor activity centre, they will probably do stuff like rock climbing, absailing, caving, team building, den building, etc. With warm waterproof clothes these are all very safe.

Does your son have asthma? Might be worth getting him checked for it if he gets ill in cold weather. My daughter's always gets worse in cold weather but she can do most stuff as long as she has her inhaler.

If you can't afford it then you cant afford it but the other reasons you have given are for the school to sort out. Ask them about what would happen if there was a strike? They must have a plan.

Jules912 · 19/06/2023 09:22

My DD's teacher who has done every other strike day didn't for the one that was during a residential. I expect very few teachers would.

Bunnyannesummers · 19/06/2023 10:05

You can’t afford it so he can’t go. He‘ll still have a nice time on the day trips and can do residentials in future. They’re not essential.

for all the people saying it wouldn’t be cancelled for strike action, you can’t know that. A teacher friend was due to be on an overnight trip during July strikes, the school have cancelled this morning because they can’t guarantee staffing

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