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Original poster

Donation to school

43 replies

Mumsmet · 19/09/2017 17:19

Parents are encouraged to give money to school, but how much should one give? I know our taxes are already paying more than what it costs to educate our child and half her class.
Please advise - what would be a sensible annual donation?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumsmet · 20/09/2017 10:59

@DizzyDandelion Yes, State Secondary

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumsmet · 20/09/2017 10:58

Many thanks for all your replies. I will perhaps ask if they need any books for the library.

OP posts:
Bekabeech · 19/09/2017 23:00

To have dropped that much from £7.3M to £3.9M they must have lost an awful lot of pupils - I would guess approaching 50%. As such it is more a matter of managing a reduction in staffing.
One has to ask the question why have they lost so many pupils?
From what I've heard this is not through dropping pupils but the new funds nog formula that massively hit some schools.
Donations used to fund nice extras, but now fund quite crucial things.

opheliacat · 19/09/2017 21:47

Gosh, these are a lot. I have only ever been asked for money for school trips or in the form of things like raffles and competitions.

PettsWoodParadise · 19/09/2017 21:44

DD's school suggest £50 a month but on the direct debit form there are options for larger amounts. I think when they start asking for such vast sums people might stop giving altogether. I give a small amount each month, I give up two Saturday mornings a year to paint classrooms and buy a few books from the school's Amazon wish list - I can afford that but others can't so it is very much what you want or can afford but should never feel obliged.

Ttbb · 19/09/2017 21:42

Don't forget that you can deduct a certain amount from your tax bill when making donations.

admission · 19/09/2017 21:40

To have dropped that much from £7.3M to £3.9M they must have lost an awful lot of pupils - I would guess approaching 50%. As such it is more a matter of managing a reduction in staffing.
One has to ask the question why have they lost so many pupils?

Heifer · 19/09/2017 21:38

Its definitely become more common for schools to ask for donations here on the Wirral. Ours asks when you start Yr 7, I think I signed up to give £30 per year but I know some schools suggest up to £100 to help them out. Massive budget cuts, and the school wants to try to keep offering what it can/did before so I'm happy to help out. Wish I could afford to give more.

Etymology23 · 19/09/2017 21:00

My local school's budget has gone from £7.3mil in 10-11 to £3.9mil in 15-16. They aren't quite at insisting on donations but tbh I'm surprised.

SnowBallsAreHere · 19/09/2017 20:35

This reply has been deleted

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JenniferYellowHat1980 · 19/09/2017 20:19

Ours have started asking for a minimum of £20 per month with a direct debit

That's astonishing! We have lost two teachers since DD (Y3) started school and classes are merged, but they've never asked for a penny.

Leeds2 · 19/09/2017 19:38

If you can afford it, and want to, maybe donate some books for the library/classroom? Or pritt sticks/pencils/sellotape. But you certainly shouldn't feel obliged.

SnowBallsAreHere · 19/09/2017 19:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toast195 · 19/09/2017 19:01

I think what you can afford is reasonable.

I would give £15-20 per child if mk ey wasnt tight, as they will ask for money on top of that "donation"
Donation is what you choose not an amount decided by the school,that would be a set amount Wink

Userwhocouldntthinkofagoodname · 19/09/2017 18:54

Around £100 a year would be reasonable, as a voluntary donation.

admission · 19/09/2017 17:39

I would question why they need a donation also.

Lily2007 · 19/09/2017 17:39

Totally up to you. I haven't donated anything yet. Someone told me the comp round here asks for £150 a year.

DizzyDandelion · 19/09/2017 17:32

Hello- is this a state school?
There should be no obligation to donate anything...

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