However (never use the word “but”…), with the DfE stating that no bookings should be made until the end of December, we aren’t going to ask for any money, or chase for payments until that ban has been lifted.
We would however, strongly recommend that you continue to collect money from your pupils’ parents, as we are still firing on all cylinders in preparation for a great 2021.
We have three children ourselves, one has just done his GCSEs, one was on a Gap Year and one had just graduated, so we have witnessed first-hand what they have missed out on, such as working abroad, graduation and festivals – and of course what they have gained by spending quality time with their Mum and Dad! No-one wants another cohort to miss out on experiences of a life time, which is what we try and deliver year in year out for our groups.
So, continue to collect money for your trip but keep control of that money by not paying it over to us until the DfE say that residential trips are good to go.
We are just finalising new travel insurance to ensure we have the best Covid 19 cover that you can get for our 2021 trips. We want to make sure that if a pupil contracts Covid 19 before the trip and has to quarantine, then their trip is covered. We also want any other pupil who has to quarantine to be covered as well. We will update as soon as possible on this.
And lastly, if we are legally unable to run your trip, then you will be entitled to a full refund. Although (never use the word “but”…) this can’t apply to any discounts or reductions that have been applied to 2021 trips.
In a nutshell:
- Don’t pay us any money, yet.
- Insurance for Covid 19 is being finalised.
- Any monies paid for 2021 trips will be refunded if we are legally unable to run your trip*.
We hope that you are happy with everything that we are doing to make sure that, firstly your 2021 trip can go ahead and secondly that we are protecting your pupils’ money.
Who knows what the next missive will be on!!
Cheers and stay safe
Peter and Lis
*As long as payment schedule has been met.