Is It Fair For Schools To Organise Trips Abroad?

[dave50]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-33047817

I would have thought this is an extreme example which is very unfair to those who are less well off. Is any school trip abroad whose cost may run into hundreds of pounds fair to those who cant afford to go? Why cant they visit places in the UK?

[ummmm]

It's ridiculous.

[whiskeryron]

I have another word, LUDICROUS .

[Old_Geezer]

I see what you mean, but my parents were not wealthy and still managed to put a little aside over a long period to allow me to go on the school cruise. At the time it was thought it might be the only chance I'd get, although today most have been abroad.

Are there really that many who are penalised because of finances ? Visiting other cultures wasn't really something that could be done in the UK in those days.

[craft1948]

Life is unfair so get on with it. There are probably plenty of parents happy to pay that amount for their kids to experience such a trip. When I was at grammar school there were trips to France which my mother couldn't afford but it never bothered me.

[marval]

They say it is not compulsory, that doesn't make it right. There will still be those who can afford it and those who can't. It is a ridiculous amount of money for a school trip.

[Mamyalynne]

It may very well be a wonderful experience for those that can go , but fair? No.


I recall way back at School they did a cruise of some sort (in the low hundreds back then), there was no way I would even show my parents the letter as I knew they could not afford it. They found out later from a different source.

[ummmm]

And what if you have another child in the school.

[mikey4444]

Many years ago, when I was 13, I went on a school trip to the Bernese Oberland, in Switzerland, which started off my lifelong love affair with the Alps. It was very modest by today's standards...a long trip by coach and then a 13 hour trip by train. We stayed in a Hotel by the lake but there were 4 boys to each room, in two sets of bunks. But it was marvelous and I still think about it 50 years later. My parents were not wealthy by any means but I think my Grandmother stepped in and provided some of the money at least.

My nieces and nephews have been on school skiing trips over the years and have enjoyed them immensely.

All in all, I am in favour of these trips, although the destination of this one appears to be a bit strange, when there are countless places much closer to home in Europe that would be cheaper and probably better. One of my brothers went to Rome and talked about it for years.

[maggiebee]

When I was at secondary school there were annual trips on the cruise ship Uganda.
Some of my friends went and had a great time, but my parents couldn't afford to let me go. Not just the cost of the trip, but new clothes etc. I went instead to guide camp and slept in a bell tent. Had a fabulous time.

[Sqad]

Life isn't fair.....one had better learn that from the start.
I agree with Craft and Maggiebee, if your parents can't afford it, then you can't go and perhaps that may give you an aspirational boost for the future.

[Mamyalynne]

So true, life isn't fair and a good lesson to learn - it never bothered me.

I was happy with the days out to Trough of Bowland and Chester Zoo, always back home to my own bed.

[-Talbot-]

A West Yorkshire school has been criticised for asking parents to pay £1,650 for a sports trip to Barbados.


What amazes me is the price. When you go in a group it normally gets cheaper. A quick look on the web brings up prices as cheap as...

Flight + 7 nights hotel
from £575 pp

[Svejk]

Be a lot cheaper to break the law and get a free trip.

[B00]

that won't include the trips they've apparently organised Talbot.

And I agree with the others who've said that regrettably we all have to learn that life's not fair and we can't all have what we want. I've found Mini Boo to be surprisingly grown up when we've explained why she ant have X, Y and Z as we simply can't afford them.

[dave50]

Some of you are remembering your school trips abroad with fond memories. Was it the destination or the fact it was an adventure away from home spending a week with your friends that was the real fun part rather than where you actually were?

[Gromit]

You can fly from Gatwick to Barbados for £450 (adult).
Someone is making a huge profit on that trip.

[ummmm]

I went on most of the school trips but this one is far too extravagant.

[Snafu03]

I hope they're not taking them out in term time!

[Sqad]

dave...LOL

True, very true.we went on a Biology Field trip to Menai where on the banks of the straights lived a worm which was unique to the UK.....LOL

My memories was in the bedroom playing poker for money and the master came into the bedroom when i was holding a full house......the cards and money was quickly pushed under the bedclothes.

The Welshwomen were "hopeless".....one couldn't get a kiss out of them.

[Sqad]

"Straits."