Educational Visits: is this trip important or not?

[Amber]

Elibet - for Geography there is course work which requires field data to be collected. At GCSE this is usually done locally or on day trips which don't cost much. At A level there may be a couple of slightly longer trips (DD went to the Lake District overnight and to Birmingham for the day). The biggest cost we had was for the former - about £40 as they stayed in a youth hostel and the school subsidised it.

The foreign trips are always optional, though schools can do a great line in marketing them as 'very valuable in the study of x or y'. Don't be fooled. These expensive trips may add an extra dimension to your child's understanding, at the absolute best, - more likely they will not, and will not be needed for the exams. I'm not in the business of putting my children's grades on here but let's just say I have categorical proof that foreign jollies aren't needed to secure top grades.

[Elibet]

Thanks a lot for the great advice Amber, I really appreciate it.

[drummer]

Thanks everybody

[2childmum]

My nephew has just started GCSE geography - they were warned before hand that they would be expected to go on the field trip because it was part of the course - to Iceland. I didn't enquire of my sister-in-law as to the cost. At least they were warned before hand, but I wonder how many children didn't choose geography because of it.

[Guest55]

Iceland for GCSE!

That is totally outrageous; sounds like a holiday opportunity not coursework.

[Amber]

Iceland for GCSE!

That is totally outrageous; sounds like a holiday opportunity not coursework.

+1
Indeed outrageous; no other word for it!