Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Mandatory school trip

93 replies

WolfOfOdin · 27/01/2020 09:27

Just a quick question

Should parents have to pay for a mandatory school trip that all children must attend?

OP posts:
iloveredwine · 27/01/2020 09:56

The museum is probably free but you are maybe being asked to cover the transportation there and back. Offer to drive

bookmum08 · 27/01/2020 09:57

Parents who genuinely can't afford to pay won't have to pay or they pay a smaller amount. Schools have funds for this. Some are government provided funds, some may be money raised by the PTA. Letters will always say that parents are expected to pay - I suppose to stop people taking the piss. But schools are usually aware of a family's financial situation (ie the children receive free school meals). Covering the costs for the families who cannot pay is often done discretely and quietly behind the scenes that is nothing to do with you.
If you can pay - pay. Don't be selfish. Schools do not have the finances to pay out for 30 children but they will be able to pay for those who genuinely cannot. It's that or no trips for anyone.

Original poster
WolfOfOdin · 27/01/2020 10:03

bookmum yes I understood the point which is why I've replied since saying that I will happily pay, I had not considered the thought that the school may be on a tight budget and that some of their budget may be for those who genuinely cant pay.

Which is the exact reason I posted here, to get peoples thoughts and opinions.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Original poster
WolfOfOdin · 27/01/2020 10:08

Also this is a new school for my children and I dont remember this sort of thing from my kids old school so was just wondering if this was common.

OP posts:
formerbabe · 27/01/2020 10:11

When my DC go on school trips, the cost is optional, unless it's a residential trip or a leisure type one ie pantomime. Museums and educational trips state that the cost is optional.

How much is it op?

SirChompsAlot · 27/01/2020 10:15

We don’t have the money for glue sticks or enough paper.

Our departmental budget is frozen and we are in a deprived area.

We rarely run any type of trip that isn’t free and isn’t within walking distance because we simply can’t afford to fund it and neither can the parents of our kids.

I know you are saying you weren’t outraged just curious. I want you to channel that curiosity into researching what is happening with school funding right now. It is absolutely dire.

saraclara · 27/01/2020 10:15

Yep. There would simply be no school trips if parents didn't pay. When schools can't afford art paper, they really can't be hiring coaches and paying admission fees.

Usually the letter will say that there is a voluntary contribution of £x, but if not enough parents pay, the trip will not go ahead.
They can make attendance for the trip mandatory, but not payment.

Twooter · 27/01/2020 10:16

Just wondering how you didn’t know that the school would be on a tight budget unless it’s a private school. All state schools are on tight budgets.

Mrsjayy · 27/01/2020 10:20

School taking kids to see something and you are horrified did you never go on school trips when you were at school?

Clymene · 27/01/2020 10:21

I have heard parents laughing that they don't bother paying because they can away with not paying.

Fine but understand that means the school won't be able to afford something else.

Serendipity79 · 27/01/2020 10:25

Recently I had an email from my daughters school stating that as a reward for good behaviour she'd been selected as part of a group who were going to a local activity four times over a month during lunch time. However there was a fee for going which had to be paid or she couldn't attend.

The amount was so small that I paid it but I did wonder at the time about a school activity having a mandatory charge!

Original poster
WolfOfOdin · 27/01/2020 10:34

School taking kids to see something and you are horrified did you never go on school trips when you were at school

Can you just point out at which point I've said I'm horrified that the school is taking my child on a trip? I've said no such thing, and the actual trip itself wasnt necessarily the focus of my question, the payment was.

If you are imagining that I am pacing my kitchen incandescent with rage then you are sadly mistaken, I was literally curious as to why a trip that is part of the curriculum would need paid for by parents, I got my answers, i am neither "horrified" nor "outraged"

OP posts:
Bowerbird5 · 27/01/2020 10:40

OP
You will find that a lot of the curriculum will be based on what they saw/did on the trip. It means that it is difficult for the child if they hadn't attended.
Yeah schools are under a lot of pressure from the tight budgets at the moment. Staff are often dipping into their pocket to buy basic things so the lesson can go ahead. We bought glue sticks last year as they had been all used and there wouldn't be any more until September.
Things to go on display boards to make them more interesting, special paints, food for DT I could go on and on.

SHAR0N · 27/01/2020 10:40

If you can afford it then pay.

If you are worried about others who can’t afford to pay, give an extra donation towards the cost of the trip.

You must be one of the few parents in the Uk who didn’t know that schools are short of money .

wibblysnail · 27/01/2020 10:43

but they will be able to pay for those who genuinely cannot.

Those days are long gone for many, many schools.

bsc · 27/01/2020 10:43

How could you possibly not be aware that schools are having severe financial difficulties? Hmm

SnowsInWater · 27/01/2020 10:44

Pretty much what @Sharon said. If you can afford to pay just do so and stop trying to rally the "everything should be free in education" brigade. So tiresome.

Original poster
WolfOfOdin · 27/01/2020 10:51

I'm fully aware that schools, police, hospitals etc are underfunded, but I was not aware a) just how underfunded they actually are and b) that they are indeed underfunded for the actual curriculum and not just extra things

Is that ok with you? Hmm Hmm

OP posts:
saraclara · 27/01/2020 10:51

@Serendipity79 your daughter's activity wasn't curricular, and took place outside lesson time. So a small amount (presumably for transport?) could (I think) be a requirement rather than a request.

WombatStewForTea · 27/01/2020 10:53

I can afford it I just think on principle they shouldn't be charging for it if it's part of the curriculum

Teacher here OP. In an ideal world we wouldn't need to ask parents to contribute to trips but school budgets are so tight we simply have to. Many schools are making TAs redundant because they can't afford to have them. They're now seen as a luxury. Things like pens, books and glue sticks run out and they can't afford to be replaced. It's ridiculous and as teachers we buy these things out of our own pockets.

Not to mention the price of coaches which run into the hundreds even if the museum itself is free.

No school cannot say the trip is mandatory. Their wording is shitty and I'd have words with them about making out that it is. They need your permission for each trip unless you've already signed a blanket permission slip at the start of the year. There are so many trips that would really enhance our curriculum and benefit the children but we can't do them because we have to ask for parental contributions too often. We do put on our letters, and mean it, that if we don't get enough contributions the trip will be be cancelled. We can't cover the hundreds needed.

Children who are pupil premium do not have to pay. They're reminded at the start of the year that we use the money from the government to cover the cost of these trips. Some of them still offer to pay because they want to and they can. Any parent who came to us and said that they were struggling would have allowances made for them whether they wouldn't be asked to pay at all or just pay a minimal amount towards it.

bookmum08 · 27/01/2020 10:55

wibbysnail that's where PTA raised funds often go. It's not always 'shouted about' to protect the privacy of the families but a fund is often there.

4forkssake · 27/01/2020 10:57

Our school always asks for a donation of £x, but it's voluntary. I can afford it so I don't mind paying it, means the school don't need to take my contribution out of school funds. It's once a year (if that).

BarkandCheese · 27/01/2020 10:59

I’m surprised there isn’t a bit on the info along the lines of “if you can’t afford to pay for the trip please contact the school”. Both the primary and secondary schools I’ve had these letters from have made it very clear there’s a fund to cover hardships.

Original poster
WolfOfOdin · 27/01/2020 11:01

wombat thank you for your reply

To others who would rather belittle than educate a person who isnt fully aware of what goes on in schools maybe take a leaf out of wombats book instead of being rude and giving it the Hmm face

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 27/01/2020 11:01

You are horrified how dare they ask for money from me how very dare they want money for a coach to take my kid to amuseum it is "free school" you are acting entitled and horrified !