Would you let your 8 year old go to London for 3 days with school?

[johnbarrowmanlovesme]

It is in two weeks time & the teacher doesn't really seem to have thought things out yet, we have had no itinerary or any details at all. I know some of the other parents also have concerns about the lack of information.

I have said I am willing to go along to help, but am now having second thoughts, don't know how many kids I will have in my charge, at least 6 I'm told

Would you expect to have to pay to go on this sort of thing, as it won't be a jolly, quite hard work I would have thought.

My DS really wants to go & I know he would be disapointed if I say no so would have no choice but to go with him for my own peace of mind.

Also, would all the helpers be requited to have CRB checks do you know? You do if you help at school so I would have thought it would be absolutely necessary for an overnight trip.

Loads of questions, sorry. Well done if you have got this far!

Lots of food for thought there, have got my list ready for tomorrow for the Teacher interrogation

Don't get too excited about having a list of menus though - I think that would be pushing your luck!!

Dd2's (8) school offered this as a trip last year. Well it was actually 2 days in London, going to an exhibition and sightseeing.

They asked all parents if they would rather a day trip or the 2 day trip. The majority of parents said NO to the 2 day trip (i wasn't one of them).

The result was that they went for the day, got stuck in a traffic jam for 4 hours due to an accident and ended up only spending an hour at the exhibition and coming straight home again.

The coach had a toilet but pupils were not allowed to use it and that resulted in 2 pupils wetting themselves and one soiling himself.

They were due back at school at about 4/5pm, but eventually got home at 9:45 ish.

The whole thing was a disaster from start to finnish.

The school need to have a strict itinary if they are going to do this, and need to try and allow for everything.

I'm pretty laid back but even I would think twice about it,especially with the lack of planning. I know when dd1 went in yr8 they stayed in a Youth Hostel and they managed with just teachers supervising (but I would expect 12 year olds to be more responsible!). Does it have to be residential? Are you too far away for it to be done as a day trip?

I will let DD do residential trips - infact the first one they do is towards end of Y3 - with her school. I know that is with be meticulously planned, well organised and appropriate staff going. It is a trip done every year, and has always gone very well.

Yes, I will be nervous and anxious about it for her - buts he will go.

Haven't read all the posts so sorry if you've already answered this..

How far from London are you?

IF it was well organised, and you live close enough to get there if your dc wanted you then maybe.

I wouldn't but it's a 6 hour drive from here.

I went with school for three days at the age of 11, we went round London on our own in the middle of the night (a group of 7 of us) while the teachers were "enjoying" the hotel bar, we were all ok but looking back its scary!

I don't think it will go ahead IMO. Sounds like something the teacher has half-heartedly thought about and not checked with relevant senior teachers about what is actually involved.

I teach (in London) and we wouldn't be allowed to take kids on a day-trip without weeks of risk-assessment bollox essentials. A residential would need MONTHS of proper planning, including staffing costs etc.

FWIW If they did somehow decide to go ahead, I prob would say no...

I wouldn't have a problem with the residential trip at that age - DS1 did 3 nights at a schools activity centre in Surrey when he was 8 (though to be fair most of the year group were 9 by then).

However, as everyone else has said, the lack of planning would worry me, and the lack of adult supervision. We were informed of the trip, which took place in May of Y4, before the children finished Y3 and deposits etc were asked for then. Then there was a very informative planning meeting several weeks before the trip, as well as medical forms and permission forms etc to fill in.

The trip has been cancelled, surprise surprise due to lack of numbers.

I spoke to the Teacher & she said they were still hoping to go for the day, still no details on it though.

Trip back on, one day instead of three & now only going to see the landmarks. They had been told they would be going on the London eye, now they are only going to stop & have a look. It's almost like 'let's take a look at what you could have had!'

I am happier with this & am going along as a helper, it's just a shame the kids were told they were going on a little holiday and are now let down.

We have promised DC a family trip to London now, to include a ride on London eye so it's not such a disapointment.