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Original poster

Contribution to the school fund

32 replies

lalalonglegs · 03/05/2015 14:03

My elder daughter will start at secondary school (state) in September and the school has written to us to ask her to come in next month for an "interview". They've sent a lot of forms that we have to fill in and a checklist of the things that we must bring in on that day which also includes a £50 contribution to the school fund. There is no mention that this is a voluntary donation and I'm a bit shocked - we can afford to pay it but I think it is bloody cheeky to demand it. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
CamelHump · 03/05/2015 22:37

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Strictly1 · 03/05/2015 22:21

This is so wrong as it creates an imbalance. If a parent who contributes generously has a complaint, are they dealt with in the same manner as a parent who doesn't? Their treatment may be exactly the same but nonetheless it raises questions, and for me, goes against the principle of a free education. It's not the same as actively supporting a PTFA. A sad sign of the times IMO.

Original poster
lalalonglegs · 03/05/2015 22:14

I'm not against paying the £50 - I probably would quite willingly if it was explained to me exactly what I am funding, why it were necessary and it wasn't just demanded as if it were an entry requirement (thanks for the reassurance Camel, I didn't imagine her place was in jeopardy but maybe some parents will be worried Sad). I imagine this letter is going to all the new intake and, while I can afford it, the school has almost 25% FSM so I'm sure that there are plenty that can't. It just seems crass the way it has been phrased and, being a contrary so and so, I'll probably make that point before I cough up.

At the children's current primary school, there is an incredibly busy PTA which raises tons of money each year and I suppose that just isn't such an option when your child gets to secondary and parents take a step back.

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CamelHump · 03/05/2015 21:51

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CamelHump · 03/05/2015 21:48

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admission · 03/05/2015 21:43

You are being completely reasonable, any contribution to the school fund has to be voluntary and if this is not being stated on the form, I would ask for the school's policy on charges and see what that says. A £50 contribution if that is it for the year might be quite reasonable but if it is £50 for the school fund and then £20 for this trip and £20 for art materials etc etc etc then that is completely unacceptable.
However the first thing that you need to be re-assured on is that the school cannot make this financial contribution in any way connected to you keeping the offered school place.
As a school governor I am concerned that this is becoming rather more common practice as a way of balancing the books financially, especially if the money is going into the school fund, which is officially separate from the funding provided for the school. In these days of austerity the schools need to balance their books by suitable changes, not expect parents to be putting their hand in their pockets all the time. Say the school has a 1000 pupil, that is £50,000 of funding the school is getting from its parents every year.
The idea of an "interview" with the daughter is also a bit worrying and I would want to know exactly what was going to be discussed.

meditrina · 03/05/2015 14:05

YANBU, and if it's not made clear that donations to the school fund are wholly voluntary, then it's probably illegal to boot.

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