to be uncomfortable about fundraising in state schools?

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My DSs are in a very ordinary primary school and I rarely get asked for money. A plate of cakes twice a year and a raffle at Christmas and that's about it. They are very happy there and we are pleased with their progress.

One of the top state secondaries in the county is also in about the most expensive housing area (surprise surprise). That school is currently fund raising for a new sixth form building and their web site actually states "we are asking donors to consider a 5 year pledge period...for the price of a tank of petrol, a £50 monthly donations will accrue nearly £4000 over 5 years..."

Many of the parents have set up standing orders.

It just seems so wrong to me that children who already have so many advantages also get to have state of the art school facilities that schools in other areas can't afford.

Also, that even if I (or people like me) could get our child a place at the school, it's effectively run as a public school with expensive uniform, sports and trips which would prohibit them going.

Wow, I'd better get saving now because the idea of donating £50 a month to the school is unthinkable.

But you don't have to Rocky -- other parents who can afford it might and then your children will benefit. Distribution of wealth I suppose.

All schools can never be the same. True. But they should provide like for like opportunities for students. In a fair and equitable society, which aspires to offer a level playing field to all children, the quality of the facilities shouldn't be based purely on the ability of the parents to contribute.

I guess this is my problem. I am an idealist, in a society that has lost it's idealism. We don't have a fair and equal society. Who cares about the kids who have to go to the shitty schools. It's not your problem, is it, as long as your kids go to the nice schools.

Our society hasn't lost its idealism. It's wonderful.

By which I mean, the ideals are still there. It doesn't always work but honestly, it's amazing.

Appletrees I'll have some of what you're having.

Seriously Iggi: nobody here denies it's everyone's responsibility to look after the less fortunate. They disagree only in degree. Everyone pulls together for schools: everyone pulls together for voluntary work: people are amazing, really amazing.

What about all those schools with a high proportion of SAHM who have time to run the PTA?

All those extra funds they raise.

How unfair, eh?

YANBU.

A parent in a primary school we were in suggested we form a federation with a local school with a lower-income catchment and share money raised by the two school's efforts at fund-raising. It didn't happen, or hasn't happened yet. But it was a nice idea.

Sadly, the base-line for state schools without fund-raising is soooo low that it's inevitable people will try. And then the disparities between schools do grow.

I work in a school in a more deprived area and see first hand how a poorer area means fewer facilities. And I admit I am biased. I used to work in a school in a much more affluent area and their Friends societies raised thousands for the school, buying really good equipment and resources, including computer equipment, specialist sports/music teachers etc that my current school simply can't afford.
In this situation I feel we should get more from the State to make up for this. I acknowledge that nothing is equal and I suppose that's how it should be. But I see these children being given the fuzzy end of the lollipop in every aspect of their lives. I would love to give them the advantages that other schools can.

But wrt the OP, it really shouldn't be necessary to fundraise. It's a scandal, in fact, when you look at the, often very basic, things that fundraising is spent on. Books, anyone? Building repairs (even though, technically, that is not legal).

But it would be even grimmer if parents were prevented from fundraising. And, yes, I realise, as I type that, that indeed, economic disparity means that a lot of parents, and thus schools, are prevented from fundraising implicitly.

Panzee your post is very forceful.

I mean in a good way

Appletrees - Panzee's post is very forceful.

State school funding is nowhere near adequate, especially when it comes to schools that are dealing with intakes that have the issues associated with a low-income catchment. I know some schools do wonders, and all credit to them, but many really struggle.

It's not fair.

National challenge schools (challenging areas/low GCSE results) get extra funding and resources. Not sure what sums are involved.