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Opting out of school trip

aliphil

Hi, 

My daughter is 13 and in y9. Next term, her year has what they call an "enrichment week" when they do different activities reach day. Most of it will need fine, but one day they're taking them to Thorpe Park. My daughter does not cope well with crowds or noise, and she really hates rides, so doesn't want to go. 

The problem is, the school has given us the cost and said it's for the whole week and opting out of specific activities isn't an option. Daughter wants to do the other activities in the week so I'm not opting her out of the whole thing, but at the same time, I suspect most of the cost is to cover the Thorpe Park trip and I rather object to paying for that, as she'll either refuse to go, or will go and sit somewhere with a book and her ear defenders which she could just as well do at home!

I want to write to the school and point out that her autism means she won't cope with this trip, and making it a condition of enjoying the rest of the week is treating her unfairly because of her SEND. Most of the stuff I've found online is about pushing for children to be included in school trips. Can anyone help me find a good and convincing way to put my case to the school? Even better if you can help me make the point I shouldn't have to pay for it ...

Thanks very much!

Parents

  • Here's a calm, firm way to write it - keep it polite but clear, citing the law so they can't brush it off. Start with thanks for the week, then pivot to her needs.

    Subject: Request for reasonable adjustment – Enrichment Week Thorpe Park day (Y9 )

    Dear ,

    I appreciate the enrichment week planned for Y9 - my daughter is really looking forward to most of it and we'd love her to join in. But the Thorpe Park trip is a problem: she has autism, and crowds, noise, and rides overwhelm her badly. She either won't go (and sit alone anyway), or she'll go with ear defenders and a book - which she could do at home for free.

    Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments so disabled pupils aren't substantially disadvantaged. That includes outings. Bundling the trip into a non-optional, paid package means she's effectively excluded from the rest of the week unless we pay for something she can't access - that's indirect discrimination, and it feels unfair.

    Thorpe Park has quiet zones and Ride Access Passes for sensory needs, but even with those, the noise and crowds would still hit her hard. She's not asking to skip the whole week - just not to fund a day that won't work for her. Most of the cost is surely the park entry; I'd be happy to pay a pro-rated amount for the other days if that's possible.

    Could we discuss alternatives? Maybe she stays at school with supervised quiet work, or joins a different low-key activity? I'd rather not escalate, but if needed, I can reference EHRC guidance on adjustments for trips - no extra charge for reasonable ones.

    Thanks for understanding - she wants to be included, just not at this cost.

    Best, (Attach her diagnosis if you want, but don't have to - schools know the law.)

    This isn't about "pushing inclusion" - it's about not punishing her for being autistic. If they dig in, Citizens Advice or your local SENDIASS can back you up free. You've got this.

Reply

  • Here's a calm, firm way to write it - keep it polite but clear, citing the law so they can't brush it off. Start with thanks for the week, then pivot to her needs.

    Subject: Request for reasonable adjustment – Enrichment Week Thorpe Park day (Y9 )

    Dear ,

    I appreciate the enrichment week planned for Y9 - my daughter is really looking forward to most of it and we'd love her to join in. But the Thorpe Park trip is a problem: she has autism, and crowds, noise, and rides overwhelm her badly. She either won't go (and sit alone anyway), or she'll go with ear defenders and a book - which she could do at home for free.

    Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments so disabled pupils aren't substantially disadvantaged. That includes outings. Bundling the trip into a non-optional, paid package means she's effectively excluded from the rest of the week unless we pay for something she can't access - that's indirect discrimination, and it feels unfair.

    Thorpe Park has quiet zones and Ride Access Passes for sensory needs, but even with those, the noise and crowds would still hit her hard. She's not asking to skip the whole week - just not to fund a day that won't work for her. Most of the cost is surely the park entry; I'd be happy to pay a pro-rated amount for the other days if that's possible.

    Could we discuss alternatives? Maybe she stays at school with supervised quiet work, or joins a different low-key activity? I'd rather not escalate, but if needed, I can reference EHRC guidance on adjustments for trips - no extra charge for reasonable ones.

    Thanks for understanding - she wants to be included, just not at this cost.

    Best, (Attach her diagnosis if you want, but don't have to - schools know the law.)

    This isn't about "pushing inclusion" - it's about not punishing her for being autistic. If they dig in, Citizens Advice or your local SENDIASS can back you up free. You've got this.

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