History Residential Trip

[ToadMum]

Thanks ToadMum and KCG. There are various reasons he is unwilling to go but one reason is a bad experience at primary. He did a trip (after persuasion) and enjoyed it but on his return the teachers made a big issue of certain things which has made him determined not to make the effort again. He is who he is; not all children are perfect from an outsiders view (to me he is). I just want to know that he can do the course he has a genuine interest in without worrying about a residential trip. He may be fine by then as it is a couple of years, but I don't want him being forced to drop a subject he loves based on a school trip.

Ahh...

< insert Been there, done that, got the T shirt emoji here >

[kenyancowgirl]

Ditto...having an asd behaviours child, I have too.

I suspect if you had a word with the secondary school teachers explaining your experience they would do everything possible to support him? In my experience secondary school teachers are great at dealing with quirky individuals rather than trying to jam square pegs in round holes!

[BucksBornNBred]

Thank you both. He is a square peg who enjoys being different and not fitting into that round hole! And his HoY has been fantastic with some issues that came up this year so I can't fault the school or their pastoral care. I just wanted reassurance/confirmation before our options meeting that he is allowed to take the history GCSE without having the residential. I think you are all saying it isn't compulsory so he can take the course (in 2 years things might change). Thank you all so much for your advice ... again!

[Guest55]

I've not heard that History has any residential component. I'd contact the Head of History and ask if it is compulsory.

[BucksBornNBred]

I think you need to ask if the trip is mandatory, and if so why? (I don't think schools are allowed to make such tings mandatory). That said, and without wishing to pry, it would be a shame for him to miss out on such an opportunity which I imagine might augment his studies and so it is worth exploring his lack of interest, if it is subject related perhaps history is not for him, if he is otherwise keen what can be done to ensure that he is able to participate in the subject fully? As for law, wow! him for already knowing that is what he wants to do.

There are no GCSEs required to be a lawyer (or indeed A levels although a strong analytical bias via an essay subject helps). OH is a lawyer, no history GCSE, science A levels and Masters and then a conversion, on finally (sigh ) studying his conversion he was snapped up and sponsored by a magic circle firm precisely because of his 'unusual' background. That said he has always been somewhat of a wordsmith and this was 20 years ago.

To 'help'persuade him about the trip it might be worth emphasising how much travel/time away/going outside their comfort zones top lawyers have to do, indeed how much they have to do that they do not want to at all, especially in the early years .

Good luck

Thank you Mad? There is no lack of interest in the subject - he loves the curriculum and warfare is his specialist subject though, in general, history seems to be of interest to him. I have seen elsewhere that history is important for law and I can see why as you seem to need to read a lot and condense the information, much as in law. As I say it isn't just not wanting to go on residentials (out of his comfort zone) but certain issues make it difficult. Science and English are his other favourite subjects so maybe he can follow his dreams

[doodles]

Ds2 sits history GCSE this summer and has not been on a single trip for it. There was a trip to Berlin in yr10 but he didn't go as he chose to go on the geography trip instead - he preferred Sicily to Berlin! And not all the geography students went on that trip either.

The only compulsory trip either of my ds's have had was ds1's A level geography fieldwork trip to Devon - four days in March where they worked very hard and had a written test on the last morning! No holiday that one!!

[BucksBornNBred]

I've not heard that History has any residential component. I'd contact the Head of History and ask if it is compulsory.

Thank you G55... I am worried that if I ask the question then they will say he can't do the subject. Probably silly I know but he loves history and I don't want to mess it up for him.

[Guest55]

Thank you G55... I am worried that if I ask the question then they will say he can't do the subject. Probably silly I know but he loves history and I don't want to mess it up for him.

I can't think it will be but isn't it better to know now? If he starts the course and then finds out it is then there might be a bigger issue.

[BucksBornNBred]

I can't think it will be but isn't it better to know now? If he starts the course and then finds out it is then there might be a bigger issue.

That is why I am asking for advice.... I will ask on the night but wanted to know opinions/facts beforehand so I can go in with some knowledge of the situation.

[Guest55]

I'd make contact with the school asap and then you will know.