Are the school being unreasonable here?!

[Fecker]

I try to keep this as short and sweet as I can;

We are not flush at the moment. In fact, we are stony broke. So badly broke, that all DS's trousers have become ankle swingers (yet another growth spurt) and I have become newly acquainted with Lidl.....

Since the start of the school year, my DS (aged 8) has come home with numerous letters for school trips/visits/treats/etc. I wouldn't normally mind this, but given that a) we're only two months into the academic year and they've already asked for over £100's worth, b) most year groups normally go on one school trip per term and c) frigging Christmas is coming up, AIBU to be pissed of at the school for their constant requests for money?!

Some examples we've had:

• School day trip to a nature reserve; £15

• Choir performance to O2 arena; £48. £20 for tickets per person (x2) + £8 for specially made t-shirt. Bearing in mind, choir club is free and intended for less well-off students!

• School trip to West End show; £35 (+ £25 for any parent volunteers! ).

• Various "charity days/ goodwill schemes"; amounting to approx. £15 so far.

DS is not at a private school, so why such heavy expense so early on in the year?! We can barely afford to get by as it is. I've had to make him choose between the choir thing and the West End show, which has made me feel so guilty..... :(

Anyways - sorry for the moan. Wasn't really all that short and sweet in the end, was it?!

Wow, that is an awful lot of stuff and we're only in November!

YANBU, but isn't the financial aspect of the trip optional? I'm sure I've read more than one thread recently which referred to costs.

I feel your pain though. I'm raising my nephew and the school expenses are not something I'm looking forward to.

Yeah - these kids definitely cost us more with each passing year taintedpaint!

I did think it was a bit excessive, so thanks for confirming my thoughts there! They used to write stuff on their letters like "the cost of this trip is voluntary but if not enough money is collected, then the trip will be cancelled due to lack of interest" but they don't even bother to do that any longer.....

my goodness, that is a heck of a lot of money to have to find over a two month period. YANBU. sorry you feel guilty. does your ds understand why he has to choose?

These contributions are all voluntary. If it's too much for you, don't pay! I do appreciate the dilemma, and I think your school are sending out rather too many requests. These trips might be educationally valid, but if they take place as part of the curriculum, they can't demand that you pay. If all but a very few (who can't afford) don't pay, the school would have to decide not to go.
This should be explained on the letters. Don't know what your personal situation is, but if you are on benefits/free school meals the school ought ot have some sort of fund to help you.
Education is still supposed to be free in this country!
Lots of people make their kids choose. For example, where I teach, you can go on the year 7 residential or the year 8 residential but not both. I think that's reasonable. Kids can't expect you to be able to pay for everything.

even if they don't bother to write it, that is still what it says in the Education Act. perhaps worth a discreet word with the head about your situation? They might be able to help.
I know last year at school one child did not pay for, but still attended, three day trips during the course of the year. (single parent family). The parent just sent the permission slip back without the contribution.

Goodness- I thought our school were bad!

It does seem a LOT of money!

I have had this problem recently only to be faced with someone with much more money than me (ie she has some) saying that she no longer pays for any !! The schools normally have a "pot" of funds to top up with should there be some non-payers but they can't pay for it all. IMO schools need to stop organising so many expensive trips if they are going to moan that not enough parents pay. We are parents..not cash cows!

That's a bit tight if someone who can afford it doesn't pay at least some of the time. Effectively less well off people are subsidising her child's place (this is where the pot comes from - putting the price up for everyone else!)

YANBU - that is a lot of money for school trips.

The school my dd's attend go on a few trips each term and always manage to keep the cost down.

This term dd1 (yr 6) has been to the Imperial war museum and the poppy factory and the total cost was 3 pounds.

Dd2 (yr 4) has had a celtic workshop at school, been to the natural history museum and the wetlands centre and later in the term is going to the national archives. The total cost of all these was 6 pounds.

They keep the cost down by using public transport where possible.

The school also take the children on 2 residential trips, one in yr 5 and one in yr 6. These trips cost about 130 each, but we receive the letter a year before the trip and can pay in installments, they actually tell you about the trips at the beginning of yr 4 so if you want to set up a payment plan then you can.

Phew! Good to see I'm in the same boat as a few of you! I wondered if was being a miser about it due to my own circs, but knowing that some poor buggers down the are even worse off than we are at the mo, I'm glad I am justified on this one!!! The school IBU - not me!!!

YANBU, the school should be more sensitive to parents' financial issues. Why don't you write to the Headteacher expressing your concerns?

I had a thread about a yr 6 trip costing £256 for a weeks stay. I'm totally skint and am glad that my dc's teacher brought up his "lack of self confidence" at parents evening as it allowed me to point out that being the only one who could not go on the trip would be to his detriment! I am pleased to say that they have now agreed to help ( along with a sickening feeling that with xmas coming I can't see a way to pay anything and they migh think I'm taking the piss). Ho hum...