Please see the below letter from Neil Finnie, Service Manager at Fife Council, regarding school trips.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing bellbaxterhs.enquiries@fife.gov.uk.

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		Education & Children’s Services Directorate
		Education.Services@fife.gov.uk Our Ref: NF/CM Date: 23 April 2020

Dear Parent/Carer 

SCHOOL TRIPS

Those of you who have committed to your child taking part in an excursion over the coming months will be aware that the UK government has issued instructions to Local Authorities.   

In the case of overseas excursions, they are advising against non-essential travel for an indefinite period.  For UK based excursions, they are advising that both residential and non-residential trips should not be organised, primarily to protect social distancing measures.  

As lockdown restrictions are progressively lifted and the availability of international travel improves, this position will change, however, we do not know when this will happen. 

Consequently, schools are working with tour operators and external providers to determine the most efficient way to refund monies paid to families where excursions are cancelled on the basis of this UK Government advice.  

In most cases, we are bound by their terms and conditions, with an element of monies paid directly to them being a non-refundable deposit.  You would have been advised of this at the time of securing your child’s place on the excursion.  Non-refundable deposits cover fixed costs incurred by providers and without retaining these, many will struggle to remain operational whilst their businesses cannot generate an income. 

However, we absolutely understand that for some families, your circumstances may have been impacted by the virus.  Schools are working with their tour operators and external providers individually and are doing their upmost to return all monies paid by you.  This is taking some time to work through, and we would ask you for your continued patience. 

Your school will maintain contact with you to keep you informed of progress.  For specific enquiries, please contact your child’s school by email at this time. 

Yours faithfully

Neil Finnie

Neil Finnie

 

Service Manager (Policy & Prevention)

Education & Children’s Services Directorate,

Directorate Operations Team,

4^th Floor Rothesay House,

Rothesay Place,

Glenrothes, KY7 5PQ