parental help on school trips

[liveforhols]

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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My dd's school publishes the school trips in advance and asks for volunteers. Teachers sometimes forget who have volunteered to go though so if you want to go specifically, try to talk to them in person. In the reception trip I think we had 2 children apiece - now I'm expected to mind 4 on a trip for the year 3s . I'm sure the teachers will come back banging the drum for more volunteers nearer the time.

My dc's are in yrs 1 & 4 and usualy we get the letter a couple of weeks in advance with details of trip cost etc and asking for helpers. If they get too many (they rarely do) then I think it would be names in the hat. I could see the situation where maybe they only wanted a couple of helpers and thought they may get inundated with offers if they advetise the fact, then the teacher might just approach a couple of parents she knows could and would do it. Maybe not fair but such is life. there are loads of opportunites to help out at out school and its usually just the same handful that do it

The parents who were asked may have been ones that help in the class, or may have been on trips before, so the teacher knows that they are likely to be available during the day, and would also know how they interact with the children in the class.

I went on DS's Year One trip last week. When I got the letter to say there was a trip, I asked his teacher if I could go.

I couldn't go last year as I hadn't a CRB check.
Our school requires a CRB before you can help out.

I've never been asked for a CRB check - my dd's school doesn't insist upon it. I will have a CRB soon though as my employer has now demanded I get one as may come into contact with minors or vulnerable adults in the course of my job (only been in post 6mo!!).

It can be tricky for schools to ask for volunteers, as there may be certain parents who would volunteer but are unsuitable for some reason. They may also try to mix experienced parent helpers with newer ones at first, rather than risk having a number of inexperienced ones on the same trip. If you are interested in being asked to do it, it might be simplest to let the school know that you are available.

Having helped out on a number of trips, I've found out that some of those who are quick to volunteer are not actually much use, and it can be awkward if you repeatedly ask for volunteers when they have already offered but you'd rather they hadn't!

At our school, some parents volunteer to help in the playground/play area/cooking during free play in Reception and KS1. These parents are CRB-checked at the school's expense. So, if the school needs trip helpers, these are the first parents to be approached. Unfortunately, you need a CRB check at each place you deal with children -- I currently have three.

I am TA in a primary and go on lots of school trips. We have one or two mums who are total nightmares when they come too (I'm not suggesting you are) so it is easier for the teacher to ask parents individually. They are normally the mums who are on the PTA or come and hear children read etc.
I know it sounds unfair, but school trips are incredibly stressful for the teacher and she will find it much easier if she has known and trusted parents helping out.
Perhaps in this case the parents have older children in the school and have been on trips before?

Don't want to be a nightmare on my upcoming trip Redwino - any dos & don't?

Agree with Redwino - there are some parents in my DCs class who would not be a help in any meaningful sense of the word.

It may well be that there are specific reasons for asking the parents. We have in DS's class a couple of children who are overly boisterous and a couple who are tearful at the slightest change to their routine. I bet both of those would bet more out of it if their mums were the ones going along.

My DH volunteered last time and was accepted with alacrity - I think he spent most of the time in London zoo taking Yr 1 boys to the gents toilets!

Catinthehat.
Do not smoke.
Do not swear.
Do not think that this is a social occasion and you are just there for a good natter with the other mummies.
Do not go and tell the teacher in great detail about yout childs bowel movements.(yes this has happened on a trip)
Do not treat school trips as chance to have a good long chat with teacher about your child's progress in class.

Do take some tissues/wet wipes.
Do take a very large bag as you will end up carrying everyones coat and lunch.
Do avoid being the one who waits in the toilet until they have all been.
Avoid gift shop duty if at all possible.

Those last two will not endear you to teacher but will keep you sane.

TBH I think that teachers have enough on their plate organising this kind of stuff to be sensitive to the impact of how they do/don't ask so I think YABU. It is not their job to know every parents' preferences regarding this stuff. I work full-time and was horribly embarassed at having to say no to a couple of these requests, so it works both ways.

Far better to one day mention to the teachers that you are more than happy to help out on trips like these, and then drop it. If they remember next time, they'll ask you. If not, leave it.

thanks Red

I think the main thing to remember is that you are there to help - not to have fun, a nice relaxing day out, a chance to chat, or anything else. It will be hard work. It will be tiring. You are there to make sure the children enjoy the trip and get something out of it.

Find out from the teacher who/what you are to take responsibility for, and then take that responsibility.

Sorry if that all sounds harsh, but it's really difficult to look after a group of children when you're out and about, and the teacher needs to know that they are all being looked after.

Anchovy - the one or two Dads who go on trips often end up minding girls since they both have daughters, but they were apparently very useful when the school went to the Neasden Mandir recently. The school even ended up roping in the (male) IT teacher to help out .

We get a letter home telling us about the trip and on the return slip that asks for payment and consent is another box that you tick if you can go & help and/or drive (school has two minibuses but we're usually a few seats short once you've added on staff/helpers). You need CRB. If you're driving you have to show licence & insurance to the office staff.

The teachers try to work it so that everyone gets a turn and that working parents get something convenient. This is for Reception & Year 1 - I guess once children are in juniors you need less help. Our class of 30 usually takes 1 teacher, 1 or 2 TA's and about 5 parents. I think it's as fair as can be.

Why don't you suggest something similar to your school?

I've helped on school trips in the past and they can be exhausting - always feel obliged to volunteer

In our school the teacher usually approaches parents who they know have a CRB check. Sometimes they ask the children in class if Mummy or Daddy can help if the child says "no mummy works", or "mummy is home with little Bro" etc the teacher wont ask the parent direct.
If you want to help the best bet is pop into the school office and offer your services should they need you, they can then do a CRB check if you haven't already got one.

HTH