School trips have changed since my day…..

Well said, Lathyrus.Best to find out what is being offered before jumping to conclusions.

Lathyrus3

I think if you take a look at Visit London website you might be reassured. I don’t know what people are imagining but it’s not very controversial unless you truly believe that any sexuality other than heterosexual is inherently wrong.

There are some good openers for discussion on display like the door of Oscar Wilde’s cell in Reading Gaol or Alan Turing’s contribution to victory in WW2 and his subsequent shaming.

The overall ethos is of acceptance of who a person is and acknowledgement of all that “Queer” people have contributed to society, whilst having to hide their sexuality. Perhaps there are a few surprises sitting there for many people.

In regard to the age group, 11/12 years old is when most children are experiencing puberty and becoming aware of sexual feelings. It’s also when bullying about sexuality starts to come to the fore.

I think the visit is well-timed and hopefully will lead to discussion, not just about sexuality, but about being perceived as being ”different” in all sorts of ways.

👏👏👏👏

I think if you take a look at Visit London website you might be reassured. I don’t know what people are imagining but it’s not very controversial unless you truly believe that any sexuality other than heterosexual is inherently wrong.

There are some good openers for discussion on display like the door of Oscar Wilde’s cell in Reading Gaol or Alan Turing’s contribution to victory in WW2 and his subsequent shaming.

The overall ethos is of acceptance of who a person is and acknowledgement of all that “Queer” people have contributed to society, whilst having to hide their sexuality. Perhaps there are a few surprises sitting there for many people.

In regard to the age group, 11/12 years old is when most children are experiencing puberty and becoming aware of sexual feelings. It’s also when bullying about sexuality starts to come to the fore.

I think the visit is well-timed and hopefully will lead to discussion, not just about sexuality, but about being perceived as being ”different” in all sorts of ways.

GrannyIvy

I’m with you Maddyone as well whatever is the school thinking of. We live in a crazy world these days.

I assume the school is thinking of broadening the children’s outlook, and with any luck normalising things to prevent prejudice.

The more I read of these disapproving messages the more I approve of these visits!

I’m sure parents can opt out, and of course their children are exactly the ones who would benefit most from the outing.

Smileless2012

I agree maddy our school trips and those our boys went on were always to do with the curriculum.

But it is part of the curriculum at KS3 and KS4.
All pupils should receive teaching on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) relationships, and secondary schools should includeLGBTcontent in their teaching.

My private school decided that year 5 (as was), age range 15-16 should go on a cruise around the Greek islands.

It was incredible. We spent most of the time running after Greek waiters whilst downing whatever alcohol we could get our hands on.

That was the only year they trip was offered. The year after ended up camping in the Lake District

Smileless2012

I agree maddy our school trips and those our boys went on were always to do with the curriculum.

Yes, ours, the few that there were, were to do with the curriculum too.

Some of my DC's school trips seemed as if they were more for the benefit of the teacher/s in charge. One took her husband and child and ignored her pupils for most of the time.

www.gaystheword.co.uk/

www.kingscross.co.uk/queer-britain

Maybe here are the two visits?? They are not sex shops

I agree maddy our school trips and those our boys went on were always to do with the curriculum.

Grandma70s

I am quite surprised by the obvious and not-so-obvious disapproval on this thread. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all, and I do think it’s educational. It’s good for children of that age to discuss everything. They are aware of most things, anyway, so good to bring them out into the open.We don’t need Section 28, if you remember that.

I absolutely agree! But then with two lesbian daughters I guess I would.

I don’t think Y8 is too young and I hope all parents approve these trips.

I’m with you Maddyone as well whatever is the school thinking of. We live in a crazy world these days.

I am quite surprised by the obvious and not-so-obvious disapproval on this thread. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all, and I do think it’s educational. It’s good for children of that age to discuss everything. They are aware of most things, anyway, so good to bring them out into the open.We don’t need Section 28, if you remember that.

I agree maddyone. What will they find in the gay bookshop? Probably not literature that their parents would prefer them to read at that age.

Agree. Not a good use of school time.

To be honest I’m with you maddyone. Our grandson is Y8.
Although it wouldn’t be our decision, natch.

This doesn’t sound a suitable educational trip to me, not for twelve year olds. They should learn about it, but I think it highly unsuitable for a school trip.

It sounds a bit more exciting than the only school trip I ever went on to a Sharps Toffee factory.

We were marched round the factory by an unpleasant man who kept complaining that we weren't walking fast enough and were dawdling and not listening.

Just after I left the big city then. 2022 thanks FGT.

From Wiki:

“Queer Britain opened as a physical museum on May 5, 2022, in advance of the 50th anniversary of Britain's first gay pride march.[12] The introductory display, Welcome to Queer Britain, consisted of material from the museum's photography archive.[13]”

I assume parents can opt out of this day trip for their Y8 children?

Thanks.
I must have missed that museum during my many years living in London, though I have seen a gay book shop. Maybe Soho.

DGS has just returned from Disneyland.

escaped

So where exactly are they going on this visit? What venues are lined up? A gay bar, a performance of Rent or Jamie?

A gay bookshop, and somewhere I think is called Queer Britain Museum. Both in London, where my grandchildren live.

So where exactly are they going on this visit? What venues are lined up? A gay bar, a performance of Rent or Jamie?

whywhywhy

They’ve changed for the better.

I agree with you on the whole.

As for “enhancing the curriculum” - there is much more to education than the curriculum. I think it’s a good thing. They do go on more conventional trips as well.

My school trips were mostly to plays in Ludlow. I remember Murder in the Cathedral in the very large parish church, and Comus out of doors.

Doesn't sound like it.
We went in a visit to a linoleum factory once. All I remember is the smell.