Year 11s going to seaside after exams

[Jampot]

It would appear to be a bit of a thing whereby when the year 11s have clearance from school after their GCSEs in the summer they all head off to the seaside on the south coast. Bearing in mind they are all either 15 or 16. Also there are kids from other schools/areas who do the same. There are no adults/parents who go - its simply a trip the kids organise and do themselves. Am I alone in thinking they are very young to be unleashed like this?

sorry - meant to add they go for a WEEK!

seems to be the thing to do
my dd went to the reading festival
I think it depends on the child whether they are mature/reliable enough to have their parents blessing and waved off.
I was nervous about dd going,started a few threads but she was fine and had the" best time of her life " apparently.
Tis a rite of passage and agony for the parents.

I went on hol with friends as a teenager - 15, 16 - we survived, but some of our means of survival remain best not contemplated by parents

My friend and I stayed in her parents caravan in Teignmouth for a week, just before GCSEs 6 of us went on the Norfolk Broads just after.

Where would they stay?

I think I'd be ok about this as DS is a Sept b'day so would be getting on for 17 at the end of yr11. However, it depends on the young adult and how mature they are.

I'd say go for it. When I was 16 I was working full time and went off to Ibiza etc with my mates. It's just that these days they seem to stay younger for longer iykwim

i did phoenix festival after GCSEs, me and 2 friends. we were very sensible. we'd done duke of edinburgh awards etc so the camping bit was no big deal, or the being away and alone thing.

Is it to Newquay? There is an old thread about this phenomenon. It would worry me.

I did this with my friends at 16 - and that was nearly 30 years ago! My eldest DD is only 11, but I don't see any problem with her doing this at 16. Of course, I will worry, but they need to be allowed to try their wings.

yes it is Lilymaid.

I trust dd but I dont trust a couple of her friends . She says she would rather go to Download festival but I do wonder whether she should go through this with her friends. Maybe I will suggest going elsewhere closer with her pals.

Its actually quite difficult for them to get accommodation when they are under 18. Unless they borrow parent's caravan or camp or something like that. Self catering places tend to have rules about under 18s.

Have a look here. driftltd.com. My son and 5 friends went last summer. They take under 18s, do not allow outside guests in accomodation and it is a secure environment They take no reponsibility for the kids. An adult has to guarantee the booking and a deposit must be paid. All in all it wasn't cheap and they managed to lose deposit cos of leaving place in the type of state that needed industrial cleaners .

However, I felt it was quite a good transition into travelling on their own.