The school offered a three-night visit to Krakow, Poland for Emma Mellor's 11-year-old son, with a price tag of £799. However, the expenses didn't end there, as the cost only covered two evening meals. This meant that parents would have to pay additional money for extra food during the trip.
The large fee covered return flights, a coach transfer to Manchester airport, a three-night accommodation in a Krakow hotel, and various excursions, including a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
However, the mother of five was informed that in order for her child to participate in the trip, she would have to make a non-refundable payment of £300 to the school, within a mere 11 days of receiving the initial email.
The mum slammed this trip and called it "ridiculous," pointing out that for the same amount of money, she could afford to take herself and all five of her children on a vacation.
She said: "I was shocked when I saw that it was £800 for three nights.
"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.
"I would rather spend my money on doing something for the whole family. I've got an older child who is currently in year 10 and I remember he went on a trip to Berlin last year or the year before and it only cost him £275."
"The trip only says two evening meals and it doesn't say anything about other food so I imagine they will need more money for other meals."
Mellor anticipates having to inform him that they cannot afford it if he does. She characterized the opportunity as being geared towards the '1 percent with plenty of throwaway income', who have ample disposable income.
She shared that with the amount of money being requested for the school trip, her family could instead enjoy a pleasant five-day holiday in a caravan or treat themselves to a weekend getaway at Centre Parcs, including all six members of their family.
She added:
'I would rather spend my money on doing something for the whole family.
'I've got an older child who is in year ten and I remember he went on a trip to Berlin last year or the year before and it only cost him £275.
'The trip only says two evening meals and it doesn't say anything about other food so I imagine they will need more money for other meals.'
Ms. Mellor said: 'This is not so much of a complaint against the school, it is more of being shocked by the price of the trip.
'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.'
Ms. Mellor pointed the email also mentioned upcoming trips in 2024 and 2025, with estimated costs of £1,200 each. These trips were for four or five nights. It is uncertain whether these trips have been booked yet, but considering the trend, the prices could potentially increase further by the time they are finalized
