Our Ref: BCS/DMB 18 September 2015
Dear Parent/Guardian
St Aignan Trip for Year 8 students
Friday 24 June – Thursday 30 June 2016
Following the continued success of the Challenge Week visit to St Aignan, I am at present planning for the next visit of Year 8 students to the Loire Valley. Any member of the present Year 8 may apply for a place on this trip, but as we are limited in the number of students that we can take, I would like parents to submit an application but not send in any deposit at present.
St Aignan is a small town situated in a lovely part of the Loire Valley where the Kings of France built numerous chateaux. The party will be accommodated in a purpose-built Tourist Centre just outside the town and during our stay we shall visit many places of interest around the region as well as use the local pool. The hostel is a comfortable location to stay, work and relax with dormitories and ample leisure space.
Students will enjoy this trip if they:
- Enjoy working together and making new friends
- Enjoy sharing accommodation
- Enjoy working as a team
- Are willing to try new and different foods
- Enjoy learning about France, its language, culture, cuisine and people.
The hostel provides three set meals a day and can take into account some dietary requests but as such there is no choice of menu. Typically breakfast consists of bread, butter and jam, cereals, juice and hot chocolate.
For the three course lunch and evening meal, cucumber/carrot/beetroot type salads and pates are served as a starter. For the main course meat/chicken/turkey, fresh fish such as pollock or cod are served with a vegetable or pasta. Dessert is normally an ice cream, compote, fruit, cake or dairy type mousse.
As we are limited in the number of students that we can take, I would like parents to submit an application but not send in any deposit at present. Please return the register of interest slip below as soon as possible in order that we can allocate places as this trip is often over-subscribed. Register of interest slips must be handed in to the Finance Office by Wednesday 30 September 2015. If the activity is oversubscribed, a transparent draw will take place.
Notification as to whether your child has a place will be will be communicated by Tuesday 6 October 2015 by email. The remainder will be put on a reserve list in the order they are drawn from the ballot. Our experience from the last trip tells us that some students may wish to drop out if they find their friends have not obtained a place, therefore a number on the reserve list should be lucky enough to eventually gain a place.
The cost of the trip, excluding pocket money is £395.00. A deposit of £95.00 is due by 12 October 2015 followed by the following instalments
- £60.00 9 November 2015
- £60.007 February 2016
- £60.007 March 2016
- £60.004 April 2016
- £60.003 May 2016
Covered in the cost of the trip are full board, accommodation in France excluding meals on the ferry, coach and ferry travel, excursions, entrance fees and insurance. Please note in the event of exchange rate fluctuation we reserve the right to ask for a supplement but will endeavour, where possible, to absorb the costs. Please do not send post-dated cheques. Payments and accompanying paperwork must be handed in on or before the deadline date outlined to avoid jeopardising your child’s place on the trip/activity. Should your child withdraw from the activity please be aware that deposits are non-refundable, and any further payments can only be refunded if the place can be filled by another student on a waiting list, or if the withdrawal is for an insurable reason. If there are significant changes to the cost of the trip, these may have to be passed on to the student. Be assured that we will try to keep such costs to a minimum.
Payment in full is required 4 weeks before travel.
Please be aware that each child will need his or her own passport and a European Health card in order to travel and, therefore, I advise you to apply as soon as possible.
Parents who are in receipt of Income Support or Child Tax Credit or Job Seekers Allowance or support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will not be charged for board and lodgings and those who come into this category are asked to write to the Head in confidence to make the Governors and Head aware of their situation.
Those families who qualify for pupil premium funding under the free school meal criteria or have been in receipt of free school meals in the last six years, may be eligible to receive a subsidy up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of the trip. If you would like to apply for a subsidy for this trip please indicate on the attached consent form.
No student will be omitted from the activity if his/her parents are unable to contribute. However, I must make it equally clear that in accordance with the Governors’ statement this activity may not take place if parents are reluctant to support it with their contributions full or in part.
Yours sincerely
Mr B Shaw
Head of MFL and Party Leader
PLEASE RETURN TO THE FINANCE OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2015
ST AIGNAN, YEAR 8 STUDENTS, 24 – 30 JUNE 2016
Student Name: ……………………………………………………………... Form: ………………
I would like to submit an application for my child to participate in the visit to St Aignan, 24-30 June 2016
I wish to apply for Pupil Premium
Should my child secure a place on this trip, I will ensure deposits and payments are made according to the payment schedule as outlined in the trip letter.
I will make future payments on line
He/she is in good health and I consent to him/her taking part in the programme detailed in your letter.
I understand and accept that it is my responsibility to update the school should there be any changes to the medical information about my child. Please communicate these to Mrs Brettell, Business Support Manager.
Signature of Parent: …….………………………….…………………….. Date: …………………
Email address: ……………………………………………………………………………………….