Paying for school trips

[Workinghardeveryday]

I was under the impression that no child could be excluded from a school trip even if it wasn’t paid for?

We got a letter on their first day of high school advising there is a school trip for RE in less than two weeks time.

I rang to give consent, to be told I had to log onto Parent Pay, make my payment of £30 each child and give my consent there.

I explained I don’t use Parent Pay and would give my consent over the phone or via email.

I was advised this is not possible the deputy head rang me, she advised she wouldn’t want my children to be excluded from the trip (twins so £60!!) unless I pay.

It depends what the cost is made up of. They can't insist on the payment for the educational aspects of the trip (such as paying for entry into the site they are going to): that has to be a voluntary contribution. They can, however, insist on the payment of transport costs as a charge rather than a voluntary contribution.

In their communications, they should make clear what is a charge and what is voluntary (many schools just leave it as voluntary as it's easier). They also have to make clear that if voluntary contributions aren't made, and funding can't be secured outside of them, the trip will be cancelled rather than specific children not attending.

Have you told the school you can’t afford it or just said you don’t use parent pay?

In a massive secondary school they have to use systems that are easy to administrate their end or nothing would happen! They couldn't possibly do phone consent or they would spend all day on the phone!!! Is there a specific problem stopping you using parent pay?

I told them we were really stretched and I couldn’t afford it, very short notice.

it said on letter it was to cover travel costs of the bus and insurance. It’s an hour away for goodness sake!

I just didn’t know they could exclude children anymore if they couldn’t afford it 🤔

Why do you not use Parent Pay? My school has 1200 students, administrating trips online makes things massively more straightforward for both sides and prevents any issues or discrepancies e.g. lost money.

We have a contingency for sudents who really can't afford to pay but it can't pay every single trip. For example, we would subsidise for a whole year group/subject trip that was important such as the geography field trip and ensure every student could go. For optional trips it's more discretionary, AFAIK there is no obligation for the school to pay but I could be wrong.

Charging for travel has always been permitted under the Education Act and in the DfE guidance. Most schools just bundle it all together and say it's voluntary but if the only cost is the transport, I can see why they aren't doing that.

The cost of coaches has risen dramatically over the last year. Bookings where the transport has previously cost us £450 are now all over £900.

Unfortunately they can be if the trip isn't educational, or following curriculum. Not sure where an RE trip falls in that.

We have always had to contribute towards school trips, even when I was at school 50 years ago. Can you pay in installments or ask of they have a fund.

I think parents have no idea at the cost of these trips, the coach and insurance is astronomical.

These days there is no spare money so if there isn't enough to cover the trip then the trip is cancelled, it's just how it is 🤷🏼‍♀️.

I understand that money is tight but I think to expect others to cover the cost for both your kids is a bit much. I also understand that getting slammed for dbl the cost as you have twins is a strain. But honestly OP you sound like you feel because you can't afford it others should subsidise your kids and they are entitled to go and shouldn't miss out. Unfortunately in life people have to do without certain things if they can't afford it. I am not talking about essentials such as food or medicine but if this is a fun school trip then they may have to. How old are your kids? Are they old enough to get Saturday jobs? Do they already have Saturday jobs?

Payment has to be made before the trip.

it is educational, they are going to a place of worship.

there are about 200 kids in the year, so that’s £6000 to go to a church that has free entry? Really?

In my experience, secondary school trips are considered optional. If you do t pay, your kids just stay in school.

I wonder if you have really made it clear to the school that you can't afford it. Because if your communication with them was as vague as your op, they may have thought you had a problem with the procedure used for consenting not the cost itself.

In your situation I would email the school, clearly stating that you are unable to meet the cost but would like your child to be considered for any funding available to support children in this situation.

Unfortunately they may be unable to attend. The budgets schools have a tiny and barely cover the costs of the basics, if the school are unable to help it is likely because they simply can't afford it.

I thought trips on the national curriculum and religous studies were funded, I will look for the link. Do your xhil3dren want to go on the trip.

A minimum of 5 large coaches, there and back, based on current prices, yeah £6000 sounds about right. However, if you doubt the cost, ask for a breakdown: the school will be happy to give it to you.

Nothing is funded but the cost of, for example, entrance into an art gallery cannot be charged, just requested as a voluntary contribution with the trip cancelled if not everyone pays (or funding rerouted away from other areas of the budget). The cost of transport, however, can be charged.

If it's an hour away it's likely the coach will stay and not go anywhere so you're paying for the full day

What do you mean ‘I don’t use parent pay’ … There isn’t really a choice to use it or not. You have to use it to give consent for the kids to go on school trips. What a bizarre argument.

This ^ plus insurance for 200 minors won’t be cheap.

Are you eligible for free school meals?

DS school has an upcoming trip, believe around £30. Of course the letter states the payment is voluntary, but they have pointed out that if they do not reach enough funds the trip may be cancelled altogether (would be a shame).

Also, side note, we have to use parent pay too, but I have to use that to top up his card for lunch money etc, just assumed all schools used parent pay.

We have just been asked for £155 for a school camp trip in nov.

£50 deposit in 2 weeks and £100 by the end of oct.

kids who have free school meals still have to pay £115 if they want to go.

The joys of year 7.

I used to work in school admin. Been retired for 4 years now but I can remember booking many a 54 seater coach for around £800 so actually with increased costs and petrol increases £6000 for 200 children doesn't seem too bad. Remember you will need 5 coaches as there will have to be a certain number of adults accompanying the trip as well

Also, we did sometimes have to cancel school trips because we didn't receive enough 'voluntary' contributions. School budgets have been tight for years now and with increased energy costs coming into play this year most schools are feeling pretty desperate. They're not going to be in a position to subsidise school trip costs 😏

What I can't understand is schools giving so little notice of the trips.
My daughter had a trip in the second week of school. She got the letter about it in the first week and parents had only 4 days to pay £25.
This was fine for me now but when I first left abusive ex I know I would have been in tears at the thought of trying to find that much money at short notice (I didn't qualify for benefits but had to pay whole mortgage, nursery fees etc and ex never paid any maintenance)