A shocked mum has slammed her son's school over the "utterly ridiculous" price of a trip abroad.
Emma Mellor was stunned when she realised the three-night trip to Krakow, being offered by her 11-year-old's school, would cost a staggering £799. The parent, 40, said she'd rather spend the money on a holiday for her family-of-six.
"I was shocked when I saw that it was £800 for three nights," recalled Emma, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. "For this sort of money, we could go on a nice family holiday in a caravan for five days or we could splash out and go on a weekend away, all six of us, to Centre Parcs," she added.
Emma continued: "I would rather spend my money on doing something for the whole family."
The trip's price covers return flights, a coach transfer to Manchester airport, a three-night stay in a Krakow hotel, and excursions, including a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. However, only two evening meals were included on the humanities trip for years seven to 10, meaning parents would have to fork more money to pay for extra food on the trip.
Parents were also told that for their child to attend they would have to stump-up a non-refundable £300 deposit to the school by July 10th - 11 days after receiving the initial email.
Baffled, the self-employed well-being business owner fired off a "spicy" reply rejecting the offer. The mum-of-five also told them just 1% of the population rich enough with "throwaway income" would pay for such a trip - but has not had a reply from the school.
Emma's email said: "If I had £800+ to spend on going away, I'd be putting it towards a trip for the whole family, not for one of my five children while the rest of us go without a holiday.
"These prices are utterly ridiculous for many families. I suppose the 1% with plenty of throwaway income will gladly be on board."
According to the mum, the £799 school trip to Krakow, Poland includes:
- Coach transfer to Manchester airport
- Return flights from Manchester to Krakow
- Meet and greet at both Manchester and Krakow airport
- Hotel Maksymillian for three nights
- 2 x half day guided walking tours of Krakow covering Kazimierz and Podgórze
- Guided tour of the Schindler Factor
- Coach hire from the Schindler Factory back to the Old Town Square
- Visit to Galicia Museum
- Coach hire for transfers to and from Auschwitz-Birkenau, entrance fee and 3 ½ hour guided tour and headsets.
- Half day coach transfer to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, entrance fee
- Guided tour of Wawel Castle
- Visit to the Royal Cathedral on Wawel Hill
- Two evening meals at local restaurants
As of yet, she says her son has not asked about the trip but says she would have to tell him they couldn't afford the excursion if he wanted to go - and she believes she's not the only parent in the same difficult position.
"This is not so much of a complaint against the school, it is more of being shocked by the price of the trip," Emma added. "It's really sparked some interesting discussion of more and more people not being able to afford the school trips as they are becoming more expensive and out of reach.
"People are having to go without a holiday or work even more hours if that is even possible to be able to fund them and it's unrealistic expectations.
"With the cost of living rising at an incredible rate, people's wages aren't even matching this. I would imagine it would cost anywhere between £400 or £500 of extra money on top of the £799 for food, clothes for the trip, travel money, insurance and you want them to have a good time on the trip too.
"It isn't just our school, people seem to be experiencing this at schools across the country."
After being stunned by the cost of the Krakow trip, Emma took to Facebook to voice her concerns and more than 300 comments were left from social media users agreeing with her.
Emma said: "I never thought this post would reach so many people. "I was surprised to see how many people were in the same boat and finding the trips beyond their means."
One social media user replied: "School trips can end up being a nightmare financially for many families. Schools need to be more realistic." A second revealed: "My husband and I went to Krakow recently. I don't think we spent that on the whole trip for the both of us."
Another commented: "I agree totally. I understand the great fun in going away with classmates but I would rather fund a family holiday. "Especially when parents aren't allowed term-time holidays."
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