Yr6 Residential trips away - does everywhere do this now?

[TsarChasm]

(Ok have moved this over to this topic rather than on chat...)

Ours is being pitched as pretty much part of the curriculum and the expectation is that all will go.

We can afford it but it's a push tbh. I do feel somewhat railroaded into saying yes.

Also, I would have liked more time to pay tbh. We've been given 5 months to come up with £200. Not a vast amount perhaps but a lot to some, especially as over the next few months we have our own family holiday to pay for.

I think it is part of the nationalcurriculum now that children experience a residential trip.But it isn't compulsory.At our school , sometimes there has been a child who hasn't wanted to go.If money is an issue we are told to speak to the HM.I think the PTA at our school make avauilable a fund for the HM to use for children who aren't legally entitled to help with the costs but who couldn't afford to go otherwise.

...it is the norm, I think.

Sadly, the ludicrously inflated prices also seem to be the norm.

I don't have a year 6 child this year (did last year, and will again next!) but recall being a little taken aback by being asked for £250 for 4 nights in a Devon dormitory.

...I have booked 4 days away for a family of 6 for this money...!

Newpup - you have got me worried now ! Could you say what part of France ,or the initials of the place ?

Newpup- I thought minutes of governors meetings had to be available for inspection by any interested party (as long as they do not concern a named individual)
I would just tell other parents your DD isn't going because you have concerns about safety.And let them do their own research

DS1 goes on his first residential trip tomorrow, he is yr4 and they are going from Tues am until Thurs pm, it's cost £100.

As the school is small and years are taught together he will then go somewhere else in Nov (when he is in year 5) and a third place the year after as a year 6 both Mon to Fri and costing nearly £300 each.

Whilst I think he will get a lot out of it and he is so excited about going 3 trips in 3 years is a lot to expect parents to pay for and there is a high expectation that all children will go.

DS1 will finish his trips and it will be time for DS2 to start (I'm just glad there is such a large age gap between them!!)

Ds1 is going to France the week after half term. £265 - started paying in September. He's really looking forward to it as he has never been abroad.

It looks like a fantastic trip. I thought the price was reasonable as everything is included.

I think 3 children from a year of about 60 are not going.

Katiestar. That is exactly what I have done! Minutes of Governors meetings are available but anything related to a specific child is confidential. It would merely show that a concern was raised about safety and the Head was satisfied with arrangements.

I do not think anyone has ever requested minutes of the meetings.

If other parents ask why my DD is not going I am honest and say I have worries abou the safety of the accomodation. It is up to them is they investigate further.

Please try not to worry, I am sure most residential trips are safe my daughter has been on two before and had a ball. However, i would encourage parents to question anything they are unsure about and not just assume that as the school has organised it everything is fine.