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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

parental help on school trips

20 replies

liveforhols · 24/04/2008 09:20

It has come to light at school drop off this morning that my childs class teacher has approached two parents (children in the class) and asked them to help on the classes annual day out in the summer. I can't help but feel a bit miffed about this as I feel that other parents should be given the oppurtunity to help on the trip.The date and venue of the trip has not even been advertised yet(except to the two parents involved). How do other schools organise help on school outings?. I would have thought that 'names out of a hat' for those parents interested would have been fairer. Opinions please !The children are in year 1.

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cornsilk · 24/04/2008 09:23

Have these parents helped in school before - do they have older siblings in the school?

LadyMuck · 24/04/2008 09:27

At our school the parents of some of the more "challenging" pupils are asked to help, in the hope that either a) this will have a calming influence on the children, or b) the parent finally gets to see the contrast between their child's behaviour and those of the rest of the class.

chopchopbusybusy · 24/04/2008 09:27

It can be very difficult for schools to get parents to help. These parents have probably volunteered for things in the past and the teacher views them as a safe bet to ask. They may be the only parents CRB checked. If you are keen to help ask the teacher if they want some parent volunteers, but be prepared to do the boring and mundane jobs as well as the nice day out type tasks.

Tommy · 24/04/2008 09:29

it's all a bit hit and miss at our school. Usually, if they need help, they will mention it on the letter but last time I was approached to help mostly because they know I don't go out to work (although they obviously failed to notice the baby I haul around with me everywhere so I couldn't go anyway )

Furball · 24/04/2008 09:34

I've been a few times on school trips. usually because a) I don't work and b) I don't have younger ones at home to look after.

If you would like to do it, have a word with the teacher saying you are available if they need extras.

theITgirl · 24/04/2008 09:34

I know I was asked to help out at my DD's school trip next month - because I have helped out before (took a day off work to help on a school trip when DS was in her class) and I have asked her about being a parent helper.

So I am a safe bet and it saves her the bother of asking 10 others first - we have also had the form asking for volunteers since then.

Offer to help. Usually they are always eager for extra helpers.

Original poster

liveforhols · 24/04/2008 09:46

I can understand the 'safebet' elelment although the school is in a middle class area with very little problem or destructive children. A large number of the parents I am sure would be keen to help out on the trip. Maybe I am being a bit pc about it. I would like to help but I do not want seem too pushy if I have not been asked.

OP posts:

theITgirl · 24/04/2008 09:52

Offer - If they don't need you on this school trip, there is always the next one and they are always desperate for parent helpers for reading practice etc

TheFallenMadonna · 24/04/2008 10:00

Our school tends to ask parent helpers because they have disclosures, and also because the teachers know how useful they're likely to be.

purpleduck · 24/04/2008 10:16

OUr school asks for helpers in the permission letter

I get asked personally (alot!) because I help regularly, and also they know that my schedule is flexible.

If you want to be included, VOLUNTEER yourself.

Sometimes itd just easier for them to ask people who they know will be available.

PrimulaVeris · 24/04/2008 10:19

My guess is that they're already CRB checked with the school (it can take a few weeks) and are known and available.

You could ask teacher (acting all innocent) "oh do you ever need help for trips and things? What's the procedure?.."

Schools are usually v. grateful for parental help

SKYTVADDICT · 24/04/2008 10:22

Our school also asks for helpers in the permission letter but it is usually the same helpers each time so sometimes they get approached first. One of my friends is getting a bit fed up of being asked and is just about learning to say no!

PussinWellies · 24/04/2008 10:39

I tend to get asked a LOT because I'm freelance; CRB checked; have a child with 'interesting' behaviour; and drive a 7-seater.

potoftea · 24/04/2008 10:42

The same people get asked each time usually here too. It's because the school knows them and can trust that they will be a help on the day. The do also ask the parents of children with "lively personalities" , as it makes the teacher's job a lot easier if they are there.
Agree with all the others, schools are always looking for new helpers, so offer.

ecoworrier · 24/04/2008 13:46

I don't think 'names out of a hat' is necessarily better. It depends whether teachers want parents they know they can trust. At our school we often find parents won't help with more mundane things, but all come crawling out of the woodwork when an 'interesting' trip comes up. So sometimes it is a 'reward' (if that's the right word!) for helping out with the more rubbish jobs, as well as being a safe pair of hands.

I would just make yourself more known to the school, help out as and when you can and just casually say you'd love to help out on a trip if they ever need you and that they shouldn't be afraid to ask you!

Alambil · 24/04/2008 18:24

Our school put a "please tick if you can help on the day - if too many volunteer, names will be drawn out of a hat" note on the bottom of the permission slips.

wannaBe · 24/04/2008 18:43

are you crb checked? because if not you're probably not eligible to help anyway.

Our school also puts a "please tick" at the bottom of the letter, but also reiterates that any helpers must be crb checked.

nooka · 24/04/2008 18:56

I don't think that CRB checks are required for school trips. I certainly wasn't asked for one when I had to go along a few years back - ds had challenging behaviour and we were told, with a couple of days notice that if dh or I couldn't come along then ds wouldn't be allowed to go . Our school usually does the tick on the form for helpers approach too, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't check with "regulars" about dates first.

cazzybabs · 24/04/2008 18:59

DOES THE TEACHER KNOW YOU WANT TO GO? (sorry about caps dds put it on). I tend to ask parents who I know don't work and who will be useful!!!!

Hassled · 24/04/2008 19:03

I get asked about helping on trips as well because a) I'm a regular parent helper and know all the Yr1 kids in DS3's class well, b) I'm CRB checked, c) they know I'm an ex-childminder and therefore quite experienced with dealing with children who aren't my own and d) the teacher knows and likes me - which is fair enough given that any school trip with 5 & 6 year olds is a big and daunting undertaking.

I can see how it might seem a bit unfair to you and others in your position but equally you can't really have issues with the teachers for going for people they know to be experienced and reliable.

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