Want school to offer a replacement or some money

[craigton0506]

This my first post and need some advice. Two weeks ago my son lost his mobile phone in his school, (The school allows them have phones with them). We live quite far from the school so he needs it in case of emergencies etc. Anyway a member of staff found it and handed it into the office. He was told to come and collect it, but the next day when he went to collect it he was told it had been misplaced. I have phoned several times and have been told they definitely had it but just don't know what has happened to it. It is an iPhone 5c and a relatively new one. I am self employed and cannot afford a new phone for him at the moment. The school has apologised but have offered no further help. Should I insist that they contribute towards a new phone. Thnks

[PrincessHairyMclary]

No way, loss of valuables really isn't the schools problem even if it was handed in. Your child needs to learn to be more careful and contribute by doing chores etc to pay towards a new phone he could have a cheap and cheerful £10 from Asda for emergencys which will have a better battery life and more practical for that purpose (and it'll be too uncool to take out his bag so he won't lose it).

[chickenowner]

No. Don't send expensive things to school!

[HallowedMimic]

It will probably show up eventually, 'stolen' iPhones are no use to anyone these days.

If it's really lost, claim on your home insurance, and buy a cheap £40 phone for school.

[manyathingyouknow]

Eeeeek. Difficult one.

It's his responsibility but that only goes so far. The school have a duty of care if something is in their possession.

[ilovesooty]

I don't think they have any obligation to compensate for your son's failure to look after his property.

[ILoveAGoodBrusselSprout]

YABU The school staff aren't there to provide security for expensive tech. Many kids take phones to school but, as parents, we all know it's at our own risk.

[MuttsNutts]

So if it hadn't been found and handed in, what would you have done then?

End result is the same - it is lost.

YABU

[PotofGold1186]

No bloody way, don't send kids to school with expensive items if you don't want them to lose them.

[ilovesooty]

I'm sure there would be a much cheaper option than £40 if he needs one for emergencies.

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

Yabu.

[sonjadog]

I doubt you will get any money from them. Most schools have it clearly stated in the rules that they have no responsibility for pupils losing their property.

[expatinscotland]

YABU

[maddiemookins16mum]

But who exactly is going to pay Op, the person who found it, mislaid it, spoke to you, etc? That same person may be skint too. I'm afraid you have to mark this one down to experience (and head to Argos for one of their £20 top up ones). It's not the schools fault it was lost.

[TheFairyCaravan]

I don't think you're being unreasonable. It was lost after it was handed in.

[PumpkinPie2013]

Unfortunately, I don't think the school can pay out for a replacement - if they did, they would end up paying out for all manner of things.

It could have been picked up by another child or accidentally chucked out with a big pile of paperwork or even moved by another member of staff /cleaner /contractor to a safe place but now the office don't know where it is. Secondary schools are really busy places and these things do happen occasionally.

Was the phone insured? Or does it have a tracking device? I presume they tried ringing it when they couldn't find it?

I would chalk it up to experience and get a cheap one for using at school.

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

So if it hadn't been found and handed in, what would you have done then?

This.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I think YABU, sorry.

DCs need to be responsible for their own possessions in school, if DC hadn't lost it it wouldn't have been nicked from the office.

[craigton0506]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I will buy him a £10 ASDA one next time, hopefully it pops up and he learns a valuable lesson.

[SoupDragon]

Most schools have it clearly stated in the rules that they have no responsibility for pupils losing their property.

The school lost it though.

[Titflaps]

Nope. Should have been insured for loss and damage. Get him an old payg until he learns to take better care of his things - and have him save up his pocket money to replace it so he learns value of money.

[friendlyfoxes]

No, I think you're right OP, as the school had it. Not on.

[Omgkitties]

YANBU. Yes your son lost it to start with but the school found it and had it and they then lost it. If they definitely had it I would make them replace it.

[DrudgeJedd]

Wow, I can tell you're a newbie OP, you're far, far to reasonable for AIBU

[Willywolly]

It's not the schools fault it was lost.
Yes it was. They lost it after I was found. They need to replace it or offer to help towards you replacing it.

[Czerny88]

No, it's unfortunate, but your son had already lost it. If they had confiscated it that might have been different (although they would probably only have done that if he hadn't been allowed to have it in the first place!).