Thoughts on 9 year old going abroad on school trip ?

Please tell me you are kidding with your "solution"

My grandson is 9 and I think too young for independent travel to another country. A scouting week, or something similar not involving hotels would be ok. It seems a bit over-reaching to go to Greece from the UK.

I'd be absolutely fine with kids that age walking to school; in fact I wish more of them did, there is a comraderie in little gangs of friends collecting each other and walking together.

As a grandparent it’s not your call I’m afraid. One of my DS was a boy chorister in a cathedral choir from the age of 8, they were often on tours abroad, including the USA when he was 9. I was apprehensive, but some parents accompanied the trips ( not me unfortunately) . He loved it and still talks about it.

I think the main thing you have to remember is you are NOT the parent it’s entirely their decision

I had an a very overprotective Nan, who I adored, but I know I missed out hugely on childhood experiences, because she wanted to ‘keep me safe’ please don’t fall into that trap

Of course you worry we all do I ve got two granddaughters (young adults ) one travelling round the far East for 6 months one interrailing around Europe for 6 weeks and of course I worry every day but you have to put it all in place in your mind and think of the wonderful experiences
I m sure your daughter and son in law will check it all out, there should be a good ratio of teachers and helpers to the number of children so don’t imagine there’s one teacher doing it all
My only reservation is will she be mature enough to get anything out of it?
Has she been away from her parents before for sleep overs or visits, if not, she may well be too young not for her safety but her immaturity to feel secure away from her family

Re walking to school again start that off by an adult walking part of the way or letting her go with other kids, mine all walked to school from about 7 but mostly with others not totally alone and again I m sure the school isn’t saying they HAVE to it’s up to the parents walking by a busy road shouldn’t be a problem she will cross with a zebra crossing or lollipopman or lady better than going through a park that wouldn’t be a good idea

Is this your only grand child ?

Thanks for all comments and advice. Maybe I am being over protective but feel I’ve seen such a decline in standards in general and caring lately I just find it all worrying. I have 3 grandchildren 9, 5 and nearly 2. The 5 year old has speech and slight learning difficulties whilst the 2 year old is way ahead. 9year old thinks she’s older but then gets ‘itchy’ if she stays more than a couple of nights away from home. DD not uncaring but has stressful full time job - which is where I have come in to try to take some of the strain so hopefully she can spend more time with them. (2year old is my Sons). … and yes I would go if it meant piece of mind !

Personally I wouldn't pay for a 9 yr old to go on a school trip to Greece. I am very surprised that it is even on offer.
I wouldn't like to be the responsible adult!
Walking to school is another matter entirely which I would encourage, preferably with a friend

You arent serious are you? Surely.

I would not trust the teachers to keep a watchful eye on my gson,end of.

Bikergran there won’t be one or even two teachers, the ratio on school trips is quite high But it isn’t yours or Diane’s call it’s the parents decision and them only

Something doesn't sound right. I've quickly flicked through my folder of school trip providers and visits to Greece, the actual country, don't seem to exist at KS2. France, due to its proximity and travel costs, is the obvious choice for a first trip abroad to appreciate a different culture.
Not being funny, but perhaps your DGD means one of the made-up visits to Ancient Greece often offered by museums and such like?
As you seem to know a lot, do you have the name of the organisation please?

Actually I disagree BlueBelle I think the proposal should be questioned and the fact that OP knows about it in advance it suggests her opinion is called for and valued.
Not all ideas are good ones, even by schools.

I have a 9 yr old Grandaughter and she is bright, confident and mature but this is far too young for a school trip abroad or to be walking unaccompanied to school.
Times have changed since we were young. Far more traffic and far more mental health problems within society.
She has been on a trip in this country for 3 days and thoroughly enjoyed it. Near to home enough and long enough.

She’s 9 now, so presumably she’ll be 10 and in Yr6 (albeit one of the younger ones) when this trip takes place. The last year of primary school is most definitely the time to be fostering independence. As you say, she thinks she’s older, but she will still need to learn coping strategies for the big leap to Secondary school where she’ll surely need those skills for managing the change. Try not to be overly concerned or you’ll never cope with the highs and lows of the next few years! And please don’t express your worries in front of her. She sounds as though she’s happily embracing life and all it offers.

I can't remember exact ratios without checking, but before covid our Year 6 trip to France took 5 adults with around 36 children. Made up of both Year 6 class teachers, me as French teacher, DH, and Music teacher. No parents, no family members. Two of us are trained first aiders. The ratio was fine, even when I had to spend half a day in Urgences St. Malo when a child injured themselves and the groups had to be reallocated.

Neither of my children went r on school trips until they were about 12. Both experienced potentially dangerous incidents so yes I would be concerned. Don’t understand why a primary school are going so far away. Ot must be very expensive,
My 13 year old gd is currently on her first school trip, 3 days in the next county. Sounds tame by comparison,

I do agree, "why not in UK" for age 9.

The first step is you you or your GDs parents is to ensure that the trip is being organised through one of the well- known and experienced national school trip providing companies.

This ensures the government guidelines are in place and most local authorities or metropolitan boroughs insist on extra compliance too. Schools need their approval to run trips and cannot just set off regardless.

The school will have multiple hoops to jump through- ratios will be tight and normally, depending on numbers, at least one or two senior staff will be accompanying.

I agree that Greece is an unusual choice at Primary and wonder if perhaps a member of staff has special connections and would like to share their experiences - if this were the case, I would be wary without an organised company back- up.

Drina01

..re the park - it’s been reported.
Perhaps my solution …. Get a ticket on the same flight and book into the same hotel 😎

How to embarrass your grandchild in one easy lesson!!!
OMG - helicopting parenting is bad enough let alone helicopting grandparenting.!!!!!

Franbern

Drina01

..re the park - it’s been reported.
Perhaps my solution …. Get a ticket on the same flight and book into the same hotel 😎

How to embarrass your grandchild in one easy lesson!!!
OMG - helicopting parenting is bad enough let alone helicopting grandparenting.!!!!!

I've just picked up on the word staying in a "hotel". This trip sounds weird, and expensive, and if you can go as a random guest at the hotel, so can anyone else. I don't believe it.
No, not at 9 at 10 years old. School trips use centres with dormitory type accommodation.

Franbern
I think a helicopter grandparenting thread is due!

A young friend's first day at uni, he saw his mum in the cafeteria. She had enrolled too. Not on his course but still.

No this thread is about school trips abroad for primary aged children.

Our children and our GCs went on school trips when they were teenagers, I think 9 yrs old is too young for trips abroad.

My 9 year old granddaughter went to Noordwijk and had a fantastic time. These trips are a great experience and our teachers, T'As etc are brilliant in caring for their class.

As for walking to school, my children were doing that from the age of 9. However we were a hop, skip and a jump away so no issue. I'd not have wanted them to embark on a long walk with busy roads etc etc

This school trip to Greece sounds strange; have you actually seen any documentation about it? It sounds as though a commercial company is trying to promote it via links with the school, and as a former teacher with experience of trips organised by commercial companies I would be wary. But that is for the parents to investigate.

As for walking to school, this is an attempt to promote independence and cut down on the dangerous parking outside school, thoroughly sensible. In a year's time the nine year old will be preparing to go to secondary school, independently. Because she is younger than her classmates it doesn't mean she is immature.
Schools overstepping the mark with opinions? Really?

Drina, I am with you. A school trip to Greece for a 9 year old is in my IMO not a sound idea. Your GD will have no idea of what it entails or how she may feel away from parents. High school is soon enough , our children went with school aged about 14. You are not being over protective! Why are very young children exposed to situations that they may not be ready for !? Society seems to push children and forget they are emotionally immature. I have had experience of children becoming distressed at Brownie Camp! Of course your GC s parents will make the decision and you will have to accept that, I know how much you will worry, I would too ! A school holiday in this country, now that is a different ball game all together - and preferable. Having said that your GD may well have an amazing experience! Please try not to worry too much and keep posting about this!

I agree with Joseann and others that it sounds a rather odd thing to do.
Especially with the cost of living crisis.
And going to Spain next year too?