School trips on public transport

[natterer]

We've been told at my school that we should be resuming school trips from September, but there's no budget for coaches etc. I admit the thought of taking 30 Y6 kids on a crowded bus during an ongoing pandemic is not filling me with joy. Has anyone tried taking kids on public transport recently or is planning to do this soon?

I've taken small sixth form classes into London on the train for theatre trips. I wouldn't even consider it for larger GCSE groups. Sounds like a nightmare.

We charge the parents.

If any are unable to pay, the school pays for them.

I've taken 1 group of year 5s (90 of them- 3 classes) by train and tube to Tate Modern. The stress level was just too much.

I try to do school trips on public transport as much as possible. My school is in outer London and many of the kids have never travelled into Central London so for me it's an important part of the experience to teach them how to use the train and tube and walk through the west end on foot (normally run theatre trips). Dd's primary also use public buses for most school trips. Obviously we're lucky to have good public transport in London. Obviously haven't done trips on trains and buses since Covid but can't wait to do them again. I find the kids are pretty nervous of getting lost so stick to you like glue! (I take Yr7 to 11 on trips).

My old head teacher, many moons ago, once lost a child while using the tube. As an NQT leading my first trip I found it reassuring that it would be hard to do as badly as he had

I don't normally mind using public transport - we always did pre-Covid. Trains would probably be OK depending on timing. But my school isn't within walking distance of a station, and I don't know if a London bus driver will actually let me on with 30 children when distancing is still recommended. I can't find official advice on this. Has anyone tried buses with a class recently?

I saw a couple of trips (one on the tube and one on the overground train) in London this week. The overground trains are empty. I had a carriage to myself until the class got on. They all sat together, no distancing. On the tube they were standing and if it’s crowded no one distances. The announcement says “distancing where possible”.

@Gaelscoil I wouldn't expect the children to distance from each other - they can't do it at school either, I've accepted it. I'm more concerned about reactions from other bus users if I try to bring a group of 30+ people onto the one vehicle - or just not being let on by bus drivers!

@natterer a lot of the buses are crowded anyway, full, people standing, as long as you could fit I don’t think there would be an issue.