School asking parents to decorate classes

[CaraFara]

I've just received an email from my daughters secondary school asking for volunteers to go in next weekend to paint some of the classrooms. Am I wrong to think Wtf? I am pretty sure my parents were never asked to do this. I know money is tight but surely this is just part and parcel of maintaining the building. What next, when I go to the doctors am I expected to do a spot of gardening whilst there?

If there isn't the money from central government to maintain the schools properly (not to mention hospitals) then either our taxes rise to fill the gap or schools take measures such as this to try to save money.

It's obviously not compulsory and a lot of parents won't take up the offer, but I can't say I blame the schools for trying to save money and there will no doubt still be plenty of parents willing to help out.

Are you unaware that there isn't enough tax revenue to pay for everything we'd like it to?

Unless you're being forced to wield a paintbrush why are you bothered if someone else is happy to? I can't imagine anyone will do it unless they are happy to

I know money is tight but surely this is just part and parcel of maintaining the building.

Seems like you have no idea how tight money actually is. The government is not giving schools enough funds to cover even the basics, and yes, that includes basic building maintenance. That's why more than a thousand headteachers marched on Downing Street recently.

When I see posts like yours, it makes me realise that parents just don't get how bad the funding situation has got. As a school governor, it's very clear that the current situation is unsustainable, and I can totally see why asking parents to volunteer for such tasks might seem like a good idea. The alternative is that the walls just won't get painted.

The situation is dire. We are failing our children, and as a country, we need to wake up to it. Otherwise, parents will be doing a whole lot more than just painting.

If you don't think that you should have to volunteer to help out with basic maintenance (and I agree that you shouldn't), then don't do it but lobby your MP about sorting out the funding crisis. Better still, paint the walls AND lobby your MP. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue.

I'm just surprised that's all. I had no idea this was a normal request. I just question whether is parents should accept it. Of course the government won't pay if people do it. But can I ask, would you be so happy if your GP surgery or hospital asked you to do the same? I understand why schools are doing it and I'm not blaming them. And I agree no ones forcing me to do it. But I am questioning whether it should be accepted.

I’m pretty sure a lot of hospitals/hospices and doctors surgeries have volunteers do their gardening. DS2 primary school just asked for volunteers to paint reception area. It saves them loads of money! Lots of parents have time to spare. As said above, gov aren’t going to just “cough up”. The world would be a better place if people who could, got more involved with the places that are used by us all. If you don’t want to do it, fine, not necessary to moan about it.

It's hardly surprising they aren't able to pay a decorator.

^I am surprised anyone can afford to pay a decorator, they are extortionate

So what is your alternative to ‘not accepting it’ - what exactly would you suggest people do?

You're right AlexaShutUp I don't know much at all about funding. I've seen a few less articles but our school hasn't said anything specifically about them. It just seems to me us parents have accepted this. I don't think that's right. As I said, I wouldn't be so happy to turn up at my next go appointment with a shovel and watering can to sort the garden out.

But I am questioning whether it should be accepted.

Would you like to pay more tax?

Which other area would you like to cut money out of the budget? Defense? Welfare? Healthy? Social care?

It would be nicer if parents weren't asked to paint the school but I can't really see how else you can change the budget constraint situation without a major change in government.

The situation is indeed dire. My local school have asked for help with painting and other ground work. The cuts are huge. There is not enough money to fund school dinners so the kitchen is accounting for every single sausage, there are not enough good quality books, paint, glue etc. TA presence has been halved and the school is heavily reliant on parent volunteers in the classrooms. Friends in other areas of the country also experience the same with their schools.

Unfortunately it is always the same few parents who help because the majority have no clue whatsoever about the real situation.

I wouldn't say I'm moaning. It's voluntary after all. I'm just asking why we have accepted this. The alternative is to pressure the government I suppose.

I'd be up for this.

I certainly wouldn't blame the school for asking. I'd be slightly annoyed that the govt are putting schools in this position by not funding them better. However even with better funding the more money which can be saved by stuff like this and then used for teachers, supplies, etc the better.

Maybe the UK shoukd switch to a system like Ireland, where school books (including exercise books, texts books) are at least paid for by the parents. The school give you a book list in july, you go amd buy them for the following september, or you pay for a book rental scheme. Thats on top of all stationary. Then pay a fee for all ecpected photocoping through out the year. And a "voluntry" contribution that im secondry school can be up €500.

Sorry painting a few classrooms for free when you get an awlful lot for free isnt much

If a GP surgery or hospital asked me to plant flowerbeds then yes, I would. Why wouldn’t I want to brighten up a community area for the benefit of all who use it if I had the time and expertise?

Don't no why your so obsessed with comparing it to a GP appointment, you'd probably be ill so of course you wouldn't Garden. Plus this brightens up your kids learning environment and isn't compulsory, just don't do it if you don't want. My sons private nursery asked for gardening volunteers this summer and I didn't even question it, I didn't help as I didn't have time but it wasn't exactly a big deal.

Do you begrudge summer fairs raising money for school too? I see your point that the gov should pay but that's not going to change because parents refuse to decorate, the school will just have to take money from somewere more important to do it.

We just wouldn’t have the time and who’s looking after the children or do they come too? Most of our time outside of work and school is spent farming.

Money is very tight is schools, if they can save a few ££ getting tradesmen in to decorate, that's more money that can be spent in the classroom.

It's has another benefit though, so one of the OFSTED things is parental engagement and this one way to demonstrate it, plus some parents genuinely enjoy the opportunity to socialise with other parents while doing something for the school/community.

And for PP who asked, no, lots of smaller schools don't have caretakers anymore, or don't have a full time caretaker

I go to work and pay taxes. That's what should be used to pay for schools.
I don't have children but pay taxes. Can I insist that my tax isn't used for schools & is used for paying for a nice police officer to patrol my neighbourhood instead?
Maybe your school blew their budget on something else instead?

I’m sure the school wouldn’t give it a second thought, chillipizza. Not everyone is going to be able to help out.

Our school really only functions because of huge amounts of community contributions. Funding is so bad!

While I haven't painted I have done gardening (including setting up an allotment), moved furniture around, run activity sessions for kids related to a hobby I do, reorganised the library, helped take the kids swimming and listened to kids read. That is on top of all the PTA fundraising stuff. At first the requests seemed a bit much, but it has been a good way to get to know staff and other parents, and to improve the school for the kids. The staff have a really good knowledge of what each family might offer and often ring people for favours.

The school is just doing its best in the face of terrible funding cuts. The government is def to blame.

If your school roof and boiler need repair then pffffffft! there goes your Buildings budget, basically.

I help with the garden at a nearby hospice. And if my GP's surgery had a garden, I am sure plenty of people would help to look after it.

But can I ask, would you be so happy if your GP surgery or hospital asked you to do the same?
I can’t speak for GPs surgeries but our hospital relies on volunteers for all sorts of things include admin and maintenance.
My friend has also spent the last 6 months raising money for paint and new soft furnishing for the parents rooms at her local hospital so that they can stay with their very ill children. Volunteers painted the rooms too once she had the money.

We did gardening and painting the shed plus low fencing around the veg patch for the school over the summer holidays. Supervised by the caretaker/grounds teacher. Kids of all ages playing together, crawlers having space to be proper adventurous, with parents knowing we were locked in and there is no escape. Picnic lunch, itunes on speakers. A chill bag of cold beer. Perfect day.

"Today 17:18 chillpizza

We just wouldn’t have the time and who’s looking after the children or do they come too? Most of our time outside of work and school is spent farming"
It's a request for volunteers, not a 3 line whip!