General policy or just the new Head?

[Andro]

I'm just wondering if any teachers can answer a question for me:

Is there a (new?) general policy of schools not accepting personal donations from people who don't have children attending that school (as opposed to donations from business etc)?

I'm asking because I've been donating (money and 'things') to a school near me for several years, but the new head has said the school can no longer accept 'personal' donations as it's against 'policy' - the way he said it implied it was more than just the school's policy. This is a primary school, I also donate to a secondary school (that my dc don't attend) so I'm trying to work out if that will be affected (haven't managed to speak to the head yet).

[TheCrowFromBelow]

Can you donate via the PTA?
What sort of things are you donating?

[LemonRedwood]

I think my school would take anything it can get. We've not had glue since January!

[Acopyofacopy]

That is really odd. In times of tight budgets money should always be welcome, and as long as the ‘things’ you are donating are appropriate and not your old knickers they should be more than welcome, too!

You could ask to the the relevant school policy or just donate to a school who would appreciate it.

[Acopyofacopy]

ask to see the policy

[Andro]

What sort of things are you donating?

I make a cash donation, but I also donate things like new tech for the classrooms or arrange for a sum of money at a superstore so they can buy stationary/craft supplies/whatever they need. I always checked in with the head beforehand to find out what would be useful.

PTA won't work with me because I have no connection to the school, they think it's inappropriate to accept the money.

The head of the secondary school I donate to got back to me an hour ago, nothing's changed there so unless I can find another local primary school the secondary school will get the combined amount.

Thank you for your responses and Acopyofacopy I'll ask to see the policy, I don't like the thought that the children may miss out.

[monkeysox]

Why don't you apply to be a coopted governor and then you can help pta?

[Andro]

monkeysox - I had no idea I could! I'll look into that, thanks

[LockedOutOfMN]

I'd keep looking for schools to help; I'm sure there is more than one school near you that would be grateful for this very generous support, OP. What a lovely thing to do.

[tshirtsuntan]

I can't see how this can be general policy as lots of primary schools have ptaf (parents, teachers and friends) rather than just pta now. Different wording e.g. my son's school has friends of.... ...... School as opposed to pta.

[LadyPeacock]

My lord, that is one insane Head not accepting your philanthropy.

I would find a more grateful school!

[ChanandlerBongsNeighbour]

My school would bite your hand off!

[Andro]

I've found a new primary school It took me the grand total of 2 phone calls, one to get a recommendation for a school that would really benefit and one to the headmistress - more effort was needed to convince her that I was for real than to find the school. She seemed to still be in shock when we finished our chat, but she's happy to accept the funds.

I also found out what was really going on with the other head, he believes that my financial support was me being patronising because I live on the 'rich side of town' and 'people like you should keep to their own' (his words). His bleating about policy was a pack of lies, he just wanted me to go away...mission accomplished! I feel for the children, but so much of how I tried to target my help needed the head onside that a change of school was ultimately the best move.

Thanks to everyone who answered, I managed to get to the bottom of the issue and I wouldn't have without your responses

[Gardenpicnic]

Wtf - this cannot be for real. So you want to donate to a school you don't have links with and the Head refuses your donations? Were there strings attached with your generosity?

[LemonRedwood]

Do you want to donate to my school too please OP?

[LadyPeacock]

I would LOVE to be able to do what you are doing OP. Good on you!

[slovenlys]

What a fantastic thing to do OP. I've never considered this to even be an option!

[Andro]

Gardenpicnic - All I've ever said is to use it for the benefit of the children, I also have a lot of contacts in a lot of areas so if they're after anything specific I may be able to help. I doubt anyone outside of SLT of either school ever knew about the donations...and that's the way I like it.

The previous head made use of my connections (specialist items to aid accessibility, for example, I was able to expedite the arrival and it cost a lot less because of my contacts), the new one wanted no part of it.

[Gardenpicnic]

It really doesn't make sense. The new head must have an issue with you, I work in a school and under no circumstances can I imagine anyone would be turned away offering what you do. I can only assume you have got their back up for some reason.

[Andro]

Gardenpicnic - he has an issue with me, he eventually admitted it. His issue isn't with me as a person, he's new in post and we have only spoken twice - once when he made it clear my money wasn't wanted, the second when I challenged his reasoning. His issue is what I represent. I have money, I have always had money so I don't understand the challenges faced by most of the students attending the school.

He's correct; while I have faced my own challenges, I have had every material advantage possible from day 1 and have no frame of reference for the difficulties some of these children will face. An acute awareness of how fortunate I am is part of why I do this, I wanted to do something that could make a difference and I've always felt that education is key. Money doesn't solve all problems, but sometimes it can break down barriers and make more things accessible.

Whether his decision makes sense or not, as the head he had the right to make it. I've gone elsewhere now and I'll hopefully make a difference in a new school.