Is it the Norm to buy your own Text Books for 6th Form?

[Milliways]

Been too long since DD did this, and just had the book list for DS's AS courses - eek! His school does not provide any so of to trawl the Internet for bargains.

I was prepared to buy his required suit / new shirts / shoes / bag / folders etc, but forgot about the books.

Does anyone get any provided?

[pinkhebe]

I remember I had my own copy of a history book, and all the texts for english a level. but I don't remember buying anything for biology. But this wa 20 years ago

[noblegiraffe]

Not the norm at my school, but since the government have drastically cut sixth form funding, I can see it happening in the future.

My school has ended up buying some a-level textbooks from eBay, so don't forget to try there.

[Bearcat]

DS1 at Richmond College had to buy his text books (or rather we had to buy them), but DS2 at Esher College was supplied with the text books, although I think (if I remember correctly) we may have paid out some sort of fee to cover these text books when he started.

[rhetorician]

depends where you live; if you live in Ireland you will find that you have to buy school books for every age from reception on...count yourselves lucky!

[Milliways]

Rhetorician: I am just VERY thankful that DS is at a very good State school, so we have no fees to worry about. Also, that we can afford them, just needs a bit of cash flow juggling.

With the new rules starting re haviing to stay at school until 18 then wonder if they will have to provide books?

Suppose we can always sell then on in a few years :)

[rhetorician]

I don't know - here there is an allowance to help families on low incomes, but a real problem with recycling textbooks. And I suppose there is an argument that post-16 education isn't currently a legal requirement. Personally I think education is not free if parents have to subsidise basics like books - when I was at school everything was provided - exercise books and all textbooks. My problem with paying for them is (1) we have already paid huge taxes and (2) once again this impacts more on poorer families who may well find themselves having to make impossible choices.

But don't even get me started on doctors and dentists...

[Tortu]

It has been a requirement for English in any school I've ever worked.

[MindtheGappp]

Yes, it's normal.

[jgbmum]

At DS school it seems to be a bit of a mixture. The school provide the text books, but I think we paid @ £20 per subject for the books. At the end, some needed to be returned to the school, and others were ours to keep.
I remember being a bit surprised at the time, but it worked out at very good value as in maths/FM, DS went through 12 text books over the 2 years.

[mummytime]

Nope not normal, for any school I have worked in or have contact with. But it is common to buy texts for English etc.

[Goblinchild]

There are copies in the library at college, but yes, we were expected to pay for copies of the textbooks. In addition to all the notebooks and files.
Try and find someone who has just finished and see if they've got second-hand copies. DD donated almost all of hers to up and coming students.

[JenniL1977]

Yep, it's normal - my bookshop stocks 6th form textbooks as standard. IMO, it's a good way to get used to the amount of reading they'll do at University - if they're going of course!
If you're struggling with the cost, eBay and students who are leaving are a good way of keeping costs down (as long as the publishers haven't updated the editions or the curriculum hasn't changed wildly)