£5 donation for head teacher to sign passport applications etc...

[NameChangeNotNewbie]

Thoughts on this?

The money goes to the school fund. It says a donation, not a voluntary donation.

Does this seem reasonable or unreasonable?

[Sirzy]

I think it's a great idea!

[Whathaveilost]

Unreasonable!

[IamFriedSpam]

I'm torn I think it should definitely be voluntary because some families might actually struggle to pay it (assuming state school) OTOH for those that can afford it it's a good idea - he has to take time to sign it and he's not pocketing the money for himself.

[Whathaveilost]

If it's not a voluntary donation surely it's an expected payment then.

[Lolimax]

I've just quite happily done a colleagues and her 2 children's passports. For my nicest handwriting it took about 20 minutes. It was a one off and fine.
For a head with hundreds of children he might have many requests so I think it's a fair ask.

[BertrandRussell]

Brilliant idea! I'm going to suggest it to our school.

[Snap8TheCat]

If you can afford a passport and trip abroad then you can afford a £5 donation.

[Burntbum]

Our school charges £5. I think it's a great idea. If people can afford to go away then they can afford to donate £5 to the PTA.

[SquatBetty]

I think it's a good idea. A £5 donation seems very reasonable compared to what your doctor might charge to do the same.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

If you don't want to pay your school the £5 go to your doctor then - they'll charge £20-25!

[x2boys]

reasonable not everyone knows someone who is able to sign passports , Iam if families need a passport than presumably they are going abroad which even if they are going to visit family it will cost a fair bit so i think if they can afford that they can afford £5 for school funds?

[CrochetBelle]

I think that's a great idea. Many teaching staff are refusing to do these outright, so it's a good compromise.

[Lizsmum]

I used to ask for a donation to school fund but didn't set an amount. Just check what a GP would charge .. our local ones charge £25. In the end I stopped doing it as it became a requirement to put your own passport number of the form and I wasn't keen to give that private information to some of the parents!

[Parrish]

I signed one of these for a colleague's child once. I was then phoned and quizzed by the Passport Office which took up 20 minutes of a working day. If the head has to sign lots and there might be follow up work then £5 is not unreasonable.

[harderandharder2breathe]

Very reasonable

If you can afford a passport and holiday abroad you can afford £5 that will ultimately benefit your child

[1nsanityscatching]

It's cheaper than asking a GP so would definitely opt for the HT.

[Littleballerina]

Good idea. If people don't want to they can go elsewhere.

[Snap8TheCat]

GPs are no longer in the list of approved signatories due to the high amounts they were charging.

[Porpoiselife]

Unreasonable.

[wickerlampshade]

perfectly reasonable

[EdithWeston]

Yes, I think it's fine for doctors, teachers etc to make a charge for signing.

Because they shouldn't be doing it during their paid working time (as it is not part of their duties) and it's OK to invoice for an additional service.

Donating to the PTA shows they're not in it for the money for personal gain, even though they don't want to set expectations that they'll do stuff beyond their role for free. (Though I would think it was a bit off if they billed someone who was a genuine personal friend)

[WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es]

Very reasonable as they are under no obligation to do it at all.

[Masketti]

Great idea. Schools are massively underfunded. Heads know who can't afford it and won't ask.

[NameChangeNotNewbie]

Seems fairly unanimous! I was a bit surprised when I read it in the news letter.

I don't have to use the service as I have professional friends and we can sign for each other.

It just seemed a bit mean, but I didn't consider the passport office could be calling up for further information, etc. I suppose it is quite time consuming (you just don't notice when it's for friends over a cuppa).

Thanks for the comments!

[TinfoilHattie]

Totally reasonable - it's not really part of their job, and people who sign passport applications can be called and quizzed by the passport people if anything needs clarified. It's not just signing the form and that's that. A fiver is VERY reasonable.