Dear Parent/Carer, 

You have been provided this link to confirm that your son has a place on our waiting list for the Ypres Battlefields Visit.

Update on the current situation:

We have run this visit many times before and have always struggled to fill 50 places. We are overwhelmed by the response. If we had thought that there would be anywhere near the level of potential interest that we have had for the trip, then we would have used a ‘register interest option’ and subsequent ‘ballot system’, both of which have been used on other potentially oversubscribed visits.

With the number keen to go on this trip, any first come first served system was always going to cause disappointment. We remain hopeful that we can increase the capacity to allow as many as possible to take part and limit the number of disappointed boys. We will share updates with you as they arrive.

Update on correspondence received:

We have had several emails about the Battlefields Visit - please be aware that individual responses will not be issued at this time. Our focus and energy will remain on trying to secure as many places on the visit as possible. 

I would like to thank those parents who have raised issues and shared their disappointment in such a constructive and polite manner.  

I do find it necessary to remind those that have perhaps been overzealous in their correspondence that visits rely on the goodwill of staff to run them. It is not a statutory part of their role and I suggest that some of the correspondence received could lead to some questioning whether they want to organise such visits.

Here at KNBS, our staff are committed to offering as wide a range of opportunities for all of our students, sometimes at the expense of their own free time. We endeavour to maintain a positive, respectful partnership with all of our stakeholders. Therefore, we trust that you will recognise our own frustrations arising from this situation alongside any personal ones and support our position on this going forward.